On how Pachycondyla apicalis ants suggest a new search algorithm

In this paper we present a new optimization algorithm based on a model of the foraging behavior of a population of primitive ants (Pachycondyla apicalis). These ants are characterized by a relatively simple but efficient strategy for prey search in which individuals hunt alone and try to cover a given area around their nest. The ant colony search behavior consists of a set of parallel local searches on hunting sites with a sensitivity to successful sites. Also, their nest is periodically moved. Accordingly, the proposed algorithm performs parallel random searches in the neighborhood of points called hunting sites. Hunting sites are created in the neighborhood of a point called nest. At constant intervals of time the nest is moved, which corresponds to a restart operator which re-initializes the parallel searches. We have applied this algorithm, called API, to numerical optimization problems with encouraging results. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V.