Numerical approach to chaotic pattern formation in diffusive predator–prey system with Caputo fractional operator

Abstract

AbstractThis paper is primarily concern with the formulation and analysis of a reliable numerical method based on the novel alternating direction implicit finite difference scheme for the solution of the fractional reaction–diffusion system. In the work, the integer first‐order derivative in time is replaced with the Caputo fractional derivative operator. As a case study, the dynamics of predator–prey model is considered. In order to provide a good guidelines on the correct choice of parameters for the numerical simulation of full fractional reaction–diffusion system, its linear stability analysis is also examined. The resulting scheme is applied to solve both self‐diffusion and cross‐diffusion problems in two‐dimensions. We observed in the experimental results a range of spatiotemporal and chaotic structures that are related to Turing pattern. It was also discovered in the simulations that cross‐diffusive case gives rise to spatial patterns faster than the diffusive case. Apart from chaotic spiral‐like structures obtained in this work, it should also be mentioned that Turing patterns such as stationary spots and stripes are obtainable, depending on the initial and parameters choices.