Factors promoting or inhibiting Turing instability in spatially extended prey–predator systems

The emergence of inhomogeneities in the distributions of the abundances of spatially extended prey–predator systems is investigated. The method of analysis, based on the notion of diffusive (Turing) instability, is systematically applied to nine different models obtained by introducing an extra-factor into the standard Rosenzweig–MacArthur prey–predator model. The analysis confirms that the standard model is critical in the context of Turing instability, and that the introduction of any small amount of the extra-factor can easily promote or inhibit the emergence of spatial patterns.

► Focus is on pattern formation in spatially extended prey–predator systems. ► The method of analysis is very simple and based on Turing's theory. ► Nine extensions of the standard Rosenzweig–MacArthur model are analyzed in detail.