2025/08/05 by Frank Namugera, Namugera, Frank
Physics and Astronomy · Psychology · #Complex Network Analysis Techniques #Opinion Dynamics and Social Influence #Mental Health Research Topics
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.2508.08294
We investigate a discrete-time two-strain symbiotic epidemic model on complex networks with both random and long-range interactions. Our analysis examines how the co-infection recovery rate (μ), the long-range decay exponent (α), and the scale-free connectivity exponent (γ) shape epidemic persistence under cooperative dynamics. Comparison with a two-strain competition model shows how these parameters control strain dominance, coexistence, or extinction. The results demonstrate that contagion dynamics are strongly affected by environmental randomness and long-range couplings. In facultative symbiosis, the co-infection recovery rate undergoes a clear phase transition, separating persistence from extinction. In the competitive setting, regimes with α< 2 and γ< 3 markedly lower the epidemic threshold, allowing persistence even at small contagion rates (σ). Statistical analysis further reveals that γ and α exert pronounced, nonlinear, and time-dependent effects on strain survival.