Simple Ecological Rules Yield Complex Agent Networks

In complex natural systems (such as ecological systems) it is common for those studying the macro-dynamics of systems to aim to describe, as simply as possible, the interactions between individuals occupying different niches in a system and to validate these by studying whether they account for the complex network of relationships observed in the actual system. We explore a similar principle applied to multi-agent systems: we develop interactions among intelligent agents; these interactions produce complex networks of relationships among the entities in the system in a similar fashion in which ecological networks are formed in nature. The study of the topological features displayed by these networks is helpful for determining the stability of the system of software agents and its relation to the complexity of the network itself. An interaction centred approach for coordination and knowledge sharing among artificial agents is adopted for the implementation of the system.