Multiple complex networks emerging from individual interactions

Abstract

Systems composed of distinct complex networks are present in many real-world environments, from society to ecological systems. In the present paper, we propose a network model obtained as a consequence of interactions between two species (e.g. predator and prey). Fields are produced and sensed by the individuals, defining spatio-temporal patterns which are strongly affected by the attraction intensity between individuals from the same species. The dynamical evolution of the system, including the change of individuals between different clusters, is investigated by building two complex networks having the individuals as nodes. In the first network, the edge weight is given by the Euclidean distance between every two individuals and, in the case of the second network, by the amount of time two individuals stay close one another. A third network is obtained from the two previous networks whose nodes correspond to the spatially congruent groups. The system evolves to an organized state where Gaussian and scale-free-like strength distributions emerge, respectively, in the predator and prey networks. Such a different connectivity is mainly a consequence of preys elimination. Some configurations favor the survival of preys or higher efficiency of predator activity.