A reaction-diffusion type mathematical model for the formation of coral patterns

Abstract

A reaction-diffusion type mathematical model for the growth of corals in a tank has been proposed based on the model suggested by Mistr and Bercovici, emphasizing the effect of nutrient concentration and domain size on growth patterns. The Turing type pattern formation of the proposed model has been considered and the pattern formation parameter spaces (Turing spaces) of the model were determined. The model is solved numerically when the parameters lie in Turing space and the results are represented graphically. These numerical solutions resemble branching structures of some branching corals. It has been observed that the behaviour of the branching structures vary with parameter values as well as the considered domain size (dimensions of the tank).