Networks of passive competition between multiple self-ordering proto-replicators and the effect of primitive membranes

The emergence of informational replicators was fundamental to the origin of life and self-ordering proto-replicators provide an abstract, simulation based mechanism for a possible intermediary step in their development. Single systems enabled the dynamic self-ordering of generalised subunits into coherent and mobile structures, without the pre-existence of templates, replicators or functional catalysts. Paired systems linked via probabilistic, inter-system structural movement exhibited passive competition for subunits (which produced a new level of self-ordering dependent upon the systems’ relative self-ordering capabilities) and the existence of primitive membranes increased this effect. This discussion naturally extends this approach to a simultaneous linking of multiple systems. Initially for various fixed numbers of subunits, 12 simultaneously linked self-ordering proto-replicators were studied (with and without primitive membranes). Then for the same underlying systems and three rates of increase, subunits were randomly added to give subunit ranges equivalent to the fixed cases. The results show an interacting network of inter-system passive competition, which created clear orderings of environmental dominance, the range of which was increased by primitive membranes. The simulations with increasing numbers of subunits provided approximations to those with fixed numbers and potentially give access to multiple sample points for future simulations with significantly greater numbers of subunits.