Autonomous Population Regulation Using a Multi-Agent System in a Prey–Predator Model That Integrates Cellular Automata and the African Buffalo Optimization Metaheuristic
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
In this paper, the authors provide a new dynamic prey-predator spatial model and two experiments to test the model. They show a good introduction and literature review. The proposed model and the study cases are excellent and representative.
This reviewer recommends the paper to be accepted in Algorithms journal for the following reasons:
The study as far as this reviewer is concerned is novel and the results are representative.
The paper is well written.
The authors provide a good research.
The paper fits the scope of the Journal perfectly.
Author Response
First of all, we want to thank the Reviewer #1 for their comprehensive reviews and useful advice for the manuscript: Autonomous Population Regulation Using a Multi-Agent System in a Prey-Predator Model Which Integrates Cellular Automata and the African Buffalo Optimization, to be considered for publishing as a Research Article in the Journal Algorithms.
We sincerely appreciate all valuable comments and suggestions.
Reviewer 2 Report
The strategy based on multi-agent systems shown in Fig 6 should be decribed in detail by some math formulations.
Author Response
First of all, we want to thank the Reviewer #2 for their comprehensive reviews and useful advice for the manuscript: Autonomous Population Regulation Using a Multi-Agent System in a Prey-Predator Model Which Integrates Cellular Automata and the African Buffalo Optimization, to be considered for publishing as a Research Article in the Journal Algorithms.
We sincerely appreciate all valuable comments and suggestions.
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Comments and Suggestions for Authors
1.- The strategy based on multi-agent systems shown in Fig 6 should be described in detail by some math formulations.
Answer:
The mathematical formalization has been written in equations 15 and 16, in section 5.5.2
Reviewer 3 Report
Dear author
Please find the attached file
Comments for author File: 
Comments.pdf
Author Response
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We sincerely appreciate all valuable comments and suggestions.
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Task #1
Abstract : Explain in more details about your results, motivation and techniques, such
as ‘For the Dynamic Prey-Predator Spatial model perform five experiments
for each type of approach.....
"Each Buffalo moves in the discrete space using the proper motion
equation of the African Buffalo Optimization metaheuristic". It is better to
be in Section 2.
Answer: I have made some modifications to the abstract where to indicate that two approaches have been developed with 5 experiments each.
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Task #1
In section 1: "The areas where we can apply metaheuristics also cover topics that pertain to artificial intelligence". It will be better to add references such as Hamadneh, Nawaf, Waqar Khan, and Surafel Tilahun. "Optimization of microchannel heat sinks using prey-predator algorithm and artificial neural networks." Machines 6.2 (2018): 26.
Answer:
The proposed contribution has been made, see line 21.
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Task #2
Section 2.4
“These contributions, to our knowledge, have not been reported yet.”. I think it is better to replace this statement by "These contributions have not been reported yet".
Answer:
The proposed change has been made.
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Task #3
Section 6.1
Lines: 288-297 and 303-312, For each case, type the number of the table that represented
Answer:
The proposed change has been made.
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Task #4
Figure 10 ,11 These figures are unclear. Please use a different line style for each case and modify the font.
Answer:
The proposed change has been made. In addition, the figures have been redesigned in such a way that they show a clear summary of the variation in the population of prey and predators.
