Macroscopic Dominance from Microscopic Extremes: Symmetry Breaking in Spatial Competition

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Guha, Stuti, Ryan, Shawn D., Karamched, Bhargav R.
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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author Guha, Stuti
Ryan, Shawn D.
Karamched, Bhargav R.
author_facet Guha, Stuti
Ryan, Shawn D.
Karamched, Bhargav R.
contents How do competing populations convert a spatial advantage into macroscopic dominance? We introduce a stochastic model for resource competition that decouples the transient discovery phase from monopolization. Initial symmetry breaking is governed by extreme value statistics of first-passage times: a linear spatial disadvantage requires an exponentially larger population to overcome. However, transient superiority cannot stabilize dominance. A non-reciprocal interaction bias is strictly necessary to arrest local fluctuations and drive the system into a robust absorbing state.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2603_10911
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Macroscopic Dominance from Microscopic Extremes: Symmetry Breaking in Spatial Competition
Guha, Stuti
Ryan, Shawn D.
Karamched, Bhargav R.
Populations and Evolution
How do competing populations convert a spatial advantage into macroscopic dominance? We introduce a stochastic model for resource competition that decouples the transient discovery phase from monopolization. Initial symmetry breaking is governed by extreme value statistics of first-passage times: a linear spatial disadvantage requires an exponentially larger population to overcome. However, transient superiority cannot stabilize dominance. A non-reciprocal interaction bias is strictly necessary to arrest local fluctuations and drive the system into a robust absorbing state.
title Macroscopic Dominance from Microscopic Extremes: Symmetry Breaking in Spatial Competition
topic Populations and Evolution
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2603.10911