Spatial Periodicity in Mycelial Fungi Growth with Respect to Their Life Strategies

Abstract

We study a phenomenon of stationary pattern formation in colonies of imperfect mycelial fungi. Conditions required in order for patterns to appear and general features of spatial structures are investigated. A mathematical model is proposed for the description of this macroscopic self-organizing system. The model is demonstrated to be consistent with experimental data. Computer simulation results show that the ability of fungi to produce inhibitors is necessary for zone formation. According to the model a certain ratio of substrate and metabolite concentrations and also of corresponding diffusion coefficients has a significant influence on general parameters of spatial distribution of fungi.