Work

Higher-Order Competition as a Minimal Mechanism for Spatial Pattern Diversity in Population Dynamics

Year: 2026

Type: preprint

Abstract: We show that negative feedback alone generates the diversity of self-organized shapes usually attributed to scale-dependent activation-inhibition. For a broad class of kernels, pairwise competition models only generate hexagonal spot arrays. Higher-order terms eliminate this restriction and promote stripes and gaps. Combining individual-based simulations and nonlinear analysis, we derive the pattern-selection thresholds and construct the full state diagram, including an unusual spots-stripes-spots sequence. Spot patterns are thus not a reliable indicator of proximity to a tipping point.

Source: arXiv (Cornell University)

DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2609.29725

Authors: Pinto-Ramos, David, Surendran, Anudeep, Martinez-Garcia, Ricardo

Institutions: Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Center for Advanced Systems Understanding

Language: English

Topic: Mathematical and Theoretical Epidemiology and Ecology Models

Subfield: Applied Mathematics

Field: Mathematics

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

OpenAlex ID: W7214297740

Cites: 1

Cited by:

Related to: 10