A new study published in the scientific journal “Mathematical Morphology” updates Alan Turing’s theory on how animals get their spots and stripes. The study, led by researchers from the University of Oxford, looked for the first time into the formation of stripes and spots by applying algorithms to computer simulations of growing animals.
Alan Turing’s original paper, “The Chemical Basis of Morphogenesis” (1952), presented the first mathematical model for how animals may acquire their patterns. According to Turing’s model, the configuration of patterns that animals have is the result of two factors: a reaction-diffusion system that creates stripes and spots, and a “directing field” that determines the orientation of the stripes.
However, the Oxford researchers took Turing’s concept to a new level, applying sophisticated algorithms and computer simulations to Turing’s theory. By using computers to run multiple simulations, the researchers were able to observe the spots and stripes of numerous animals, including zebras, leopards, and giraffes. The results showed that Turing’s theory held true in all cases.
The researchers also added a new layer to Turing’s original theory. They observed that the same stripes can be formed by different growth patterns. The researchers were able to identify two distinct growth patterns that would lead to the same striped pattern in animals. This suggests that different environmental or genetic factors could lead to the same stripe patterns in certain animals.
Overall, the study, updates Turing’s original theory and provides a new understanding of how animals acquire their spots and stripes. The researchers hope that their work will lead to further research into the processes of pattern formation and provide a better understanding of animal development.