title: Genesis of a spatial pattern in the cellular slime mold Polysphondylium pallidum.
abstract: The branches in Polysphondylium pallidum whorls are arranged in a radial pattern. We have used a pattern-specific monoclonal antibody to study branch formation and characterize the origin of this pattern. A quantitative spatial analysis of antibody staining reveals that the branching pattern arises from a random distribution. This distribution passes through a series of intermediate stages to yield a radial prepattern. The origins and evolution of this prepattern are satisfactorily accounted for by models that produce spatial patterns by short-range autocatalytic and longer-range inhibitory forces.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Byrne
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Cox
mesh_terms: D000908:Antibodies, Fungal; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex / Q000032:analysis; D000946:Antigens, Fungal / Q000032:analysis; D009235:Myxomycetes / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development*
chemical_list: D000908:Antibodies, Fungal; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000936:Antigen-Antibody Complex; D000946:Antigens, Fungal