A Predator-Prey Cellular Automaton with Parasitic Interactions and Environmental Effects

Abstract

We propose a lattice model to describe a predator-prey system where two species with significantly different size are considered. The biological analogy we refer to is the predatory interaction between bacteria and viruses. We assume simple environmental effects altering the dynamics. Preys (bacteria) procreate by mitosis and they do not move. They may die because of natural causes or under the predation. The predation is the consequence of a diffusive phenomenon by the predators (viruses). Predators grow in number by infection and by prey self-immunity diseases, and they die by starvation.