Reaction-diffusion in a growing 3D domain of skin scales generates a discrete cellular automaton

Abstract

The adult ocellated lizard skin colour pattern is effectively generated by a stochastic cellular automaton (CA) of skin scales. Here authors use reaction diffusion (RD) numerical simulations in 3D on realistic lizard skin geometries and demonstrate that skin thickness variation on its own is sufficient to cause scale-by-scale coloration and CA dynamics during RD patterning.