Macroscopic Dominance from Microscopic Extremes: Symmetry Breaking in Spatial Competition
Populations and Evolution
2026-03-12 v1
Abstract
How do competing populations convert a spatial advantage into macroscopic dominance? We introduce a stochastic model for resource competition that decouples the transient discovery phase from monopolization. Initial symmetry breaking is governed by extreme value statistics of first-passage times: a linear spatial disadvantage requires an exponentially larger population to overcome. However, transient superiority cannot stabilize dominance. A non-reciprocal interaction bias is strictly necessary to arrest local fluctuations and drive the system into a robust absorbing state.
Keywords
Cite
@article{arxiv.2603.10911,
title = {Macroscopic Dominance from Microscopic Extremes: Symmetry Breaking in Spatial Competition},
author = {Stuti Guha and Shawn D. Ryan and Bhargav R. Karamched},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2603.10911},
year = {2026}
}
Comments
7 pages, 3 figures