How do fireflies synchronise?
Simplifying Complexity
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The Periodicity of Firefly Blinks is an Emergent Property of the Swarm
The fireflies inside a tent and outside the tent have the same pattern but are not synchronized. The fireflies inside the tent are visually disconnected from the rest of the swarm and therefore do not communicate or synchronize with them. However, when more than 15 fireflies are together and can see each other, they exhibit the same pattern. This collective periodicity is an emergent property that requires a certain number of individuals. Researchers are excited about this discovery and are developing mathematical models to better understand and explain it.
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