I. Stewart and M. Golubitsky
Symmetry Methods in Mathematical Biology
Math. Pop. Studies.
To appear.
Many biological systems have aspects of symmetry. Symmetry is formalized using group theory. This theory applies not just to the geometry of symmetric systems, but to their dynamics. The
basic ideas of symmetric dynamics and bifurcation
theory are applied to speciation, animal locomotion, the visual
cortex, pattern formation in animal markings and geographical location,
and the geometry of virus protein coats.