Symmetries of \(S\)-systems (Q1193121)

The author studies \(S\)-systems, which are systems of first-order nonlinear differential equations, all of the form \[ x_ i'=\alpha_ i\prod^ n_{j=1} x^{g_{ij}}_ j-\beta_ i\prod^ n_{j=1} x^{h_{ij}}_ j,\quad i=1,\dots,n. \] \(S\)-systems have been used as models in a variety of biological problems. The purpose of this paper is to state simple criteria that determine whether an \(S\)-system has certain types of symmetries and to show how the underlying transformation groups can be constructed. If such a group exists, the author indicates how families of solutions can be characterized, how the number of differential equations necessary for solutions can be reduced, and how some boundary value problems can be reduced to initial value problems.