Universität zu Köln

Werner, Johannes ORCID: 0000-0002-9282-6066 and Arndt, Hartmut ORCID: 0000-0003-2811-3595 (2025). Spatio-temporal pattern formation of living organisms at the edge of chaos. The ISME Journal, 19 (1). ISME International Society for Microbial Ecology. ISSN 1751-7362

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Abstract

Understanding spatio-temporal dynamics is essential for predicting how populations fluctuate over time and space. Theoretical models have highlighted the ecological complexity of spatio-temporal dynamics, which can lead to the emergence of complex patterns, including nonlinear dynamics and chaotic behavior, important mechanisms for maintaining of biodiversity. However, these dynamics are difficult to observe experimentally due to a lack of temporal and spatial resolution. Here, we show that even a single-species system exhibits complex spatio-temporal patterns without external forcing where order and chaos coexist (edge of chaos). Automated analyses of experimental dynamics of cells of a ciliate on a microfluidic chip environment with 50 interconnected patches documented pattern formation, including chaos-like dynamics, using several analytical methods. Different initial conditions caused changes in patterns, revealing the complexity and principal unpredictability of self-organized pattern formation. A model containing the stochastic fluctuations of the experiment verified the deterministic nature of patterns. The results show the intrinsic complexity of ecological systems, challenging predictions in nature conservation. Our results bridge the gap between theoretical models and experimental observations, offering new insights into the fundamental nature of living systems and their spatio-temporal organization.

Item Type:	Article
Creators:	Creators Email ORCID ORCID Put Code Werner, Johannes UNSPECIFIED https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9282-6066 UNSPECIFIED Arndt, Hartmut Hartmut.Arndt@uni-koeln.de https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2811-3595 UNSPECIFIED
URN:	urn:nbn:de:hbz:38-791186
Identification Number:	10.1093/ismejo/wraf050
Journal or Publication Title:	The ISME Journal
Volume:	19
Number:	1
Date:	2 January 2025
Publisher:	ISME International Society for Microbial Ecology
ISSN:	1751-7362
Language:	English
Faculty:	Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
Divisions:	Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences > Department of Biology > Zoologisches Institut
Subjects:	Life sciences
['eprint_fieldname_oa_funders' not defined]:	Publikationsfonds UzK
Refereed:	Yes
URI:	http://kups.ub.uni-koeln.de/id/eprint/79118