Group 2 2012

Introduction

We are interested in studying the entrainment of pulse-coupled biological oscillators, specifically populations of fireflies. Many species of fireflies use bio-luminescent flashing to attract mates. When a group of fireflies flash together, each starting at arbitrary phases, natural observation indicates that over some finite time scale, they are likely to achieve entrainment, and synchronous oscillatory behavior will emerge. The mathematical foundation of such a system is developed thoroughly by Strogatz in (insert paper here). However, such a model does not account for the existence of natural barriers that may divide a system of fireflies into different populations that do not exhibit universal coupling. Therefore, with this premise in mind, we obtain our central question: "At what point of communication parameter variation will the fireflies be prevented from consistently achieving synchrony?"

Background

Some theory, literature, examples, and other pertinent information!

Experimental Details

Put variables, hypotheses, and miscellaneous science here!

Bibliography

Citations!