Pattern formation by competition: a biological example.
We present a simple model based on a reaction-diffusion equation to explain pattern formation in a multicellular bacterium (Streptomyces). We assume competition for resources as the basic mechanism that leads to pattern formation; in particular we are able to reproduce the spatial pattern formed by bacterial aerial mycelium in the case of growth in minimal (low resources) and maximal (large resources) culture media.
Dipartimento di Fisica dell', Università and Sezione I.N.F.N. di Bologna, Via Irnerio 46, 40126 Bologna, Italy.
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Mengoni
competition; fitness; multicellular bacteria; pattern formation