Perturbing cyclic predator-prey systems: how a six-species coarsening system with non-trivial in-domain dynamics responds to sudden changes

Abstract

Cyclic predator-prey systems have been shown to give rise to rich, and novel, space-time patterns, as for example coarsening domains with non-trivial in-domain dynamics. In this work we study numerically the responses of a cyclic six-species model, characterized by the formation of spirals inside coarsening domains, to two different types of perturbations: changing the values of the predation and reproduction rates as well as changing the interaction scheme. For both protocols we monitor the time evolution of the system after the onset of the perturbation through the measurement of dynamical correlation functions and time-dependent densities of empty sites. In this way we gain insights into the complex responses to different perturbations in a system where spirals, which are due to the formation of cyclic alliances, dominate the dynamics inside the coarsening domains.