S. Bandini et al., Cellular automata approach for investigation of low power light effects onthe dynamics of plant-inhabiting mites, NUOV CIM D, 20(10), 1998, pp. 1595-1607
Citations number
12
Categorie Soggetti
Physics
Journal title
NUOVO CIMENTO DELLA SOCIETA ITALIANA DI FISICA D-CONDENSED MATTER ATOMIC MOLECULAR AND CHEMICAL PHYSICS FLUIDS PLASMAS BIOPHYSICS
The prey-predator competition is a typical problem exhibited by the dynamic
s of phytophagous and predaceous mite population. Biological parameters of
Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari: Tetranychidae) and Amblyseius californicus
McGregor (Acari: Phytoseiidae) are set up in order to establish the fundam
ental aspects to be embodied into a simulation model. We introduce the Lotk
a-Volterra differential equations as the classic approach to the problem an
d present the Cellular-Automata (CA) approach as an alternative one. We rep
ort preliminary results which account for a number of interesting features
such as: 1) oscillations in time of the population, 2) a link between the p
opulations' initial conditions and the obtained solution, 3) the appearance
of spatial structures, and 4) the effect on the population dynamics of par
ameters which may be linked to photoperiodic and circadian features. Furthe
rmore, it is shown that several sophisticated features affecting population
s evolution, such as the egg opening time, the sexual maturation time, the
limited lifetime, the limited survival capability of predators in fasting c
ondition and juvenile mortality can be easily included in a CA-based model.