Nonlinear pattern selection in a mechanical model for morphogenesis

We present a numerical study of the nonlinear mechanical model for morphogenesis proposed by Oster et al. (1983) with the aim of establishing the pattern forming capability of the model. We present a technique for mode selection based on linear analysis and show that, in many cases, it is a reliable predictor for nonlinear mode selection. In order to determine the set of model parameters that can generate a particular pattern we develop a technique based on nonlinear least square fitting to a dispersion relation. As an application we present a scenario for sequential pattern formation of dermal aggregations in chick embryos which leads to the hexagonal array of cell aggregations observed in feather germ formation in vivo.