Pattern formation by competition: a biological example

Abstract

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 case of growth in minimal (low resources) and maximal (large resources) culture media.

10 pages, 6 figures (Postscript), to appear in Journal of biological Physics