Saltatory targeting strategy in rock-paper-scissors models

Fuente: arXiv
Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Menezes, J., Barbalho, R., Sun, Y.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2025
Subjects:
Online Access:
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1866913903497183232
author Menezes, J.
Barbalho, R.
Sun, Y.
author_facet Menezes, J.
Barbalho, R.
Sun, Y.
contents We explore how strategic leaps alter the classic rock-paper-scissors dynamics in spatially structured populations. In our model, individuals can expend energy reserves to jump toward regions with a high density of individuals of the species they dominate in the spatial game. This enables them to eliminate the target organisms and gain new territory, promoting species proliferation. Through stochastic, lattice-based simulations, we show that even when the energy allocated to jumping, as opposed to random walking, is low, there is a significant shift in the cyclic dominance balance. This arises from the increased likelihood of the leaping species successfully acquiring territory. Due to the cyclical nature of the game, the dominant species becomes the one that is superior to the jumping species. We investigate how spatial patterns are affected and calculate the changes in characteristic length scales. Additionally, we quantify how saltatory targeting reshapes spatial correlations and drives shifts in population dominance. Finally, we estimate the coexistence probability and find evidence that this behavioural strategy may promote biodiversity among low-mobility organisms but jeopardise long-term coexistence in the case of high-mobility dispersal. These results underscore the profound impact of novel foraging tactics on community structure and provide concrete parameters for ecologists seeking to incorporate behavioural innovation into ecosystem models.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2506_16284
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Saltatory targeting strategy in rock-paper-scissors models
Menezes, J.
Barbalho, R.
Sun, Y.
Populations and Evolution
Adaptation and Self-Organizing Systems
Cellular Automata and Lattice Gases
Pattern Formation and Solitons
Biological Physics
We explore how strategic leaps alter the classic rock-paper-scissors dynamics in spatially structured populations. In our model, individuals can expend energy reserves to jump toward regions with a high density of individuals of the species they dominate in the spatial game. This enables them to eliminate the target organisms and gain new territory, promoting species proliferation. Through stochastic, lattice-based simulations, we show that even when the energy allocated to jumping, as opposed to random walking, is low, there is a significant shift in the cyclic dominance balance. This arises from the increased likelihood of the leaping species successfully acquiring territory. Due to the cyclical nature of the game, the dominant species becomes the one that is superior to the jumping species. We investigate how spatial patterns are affected and calculate the changes in characteristic length scales. Additionally, we quantify how saltatory targeting reshapes spatial correlations and drives shifts in population dominance. Finally, we estimate the coexistence probability and find evidence that this behavioural strategy may promote biodiversity among low-mobility organisms but jeopardise long-term coexistence in the case of high-mobility dispersal. These results underscore the profound impact of novel foraging tactics on community structure and provide concrete parameters for ecologists seeking to incorporate behavioural innovation into ecosystem models.
title Saltatory targeting strategy in rock-paper-scissors models
topic Populations and Evolution
Adaptation and Self-Organizing Systems
Cellular Automata and Lattice Gases
Pattern Formation and Solitons
Biological Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2506.16284