Implicit-explicit timestepping with finite element approximation of reaction-diffusion systems on evolving domains

Abstract: We present and analyse an implicit-explicit timestepping procedure with finite element spatial approximation for a semilinear reaction-diffusion systems on evolving domains arising from biological models, such as Schnakenberg's (1979). We employ a Lagrangian formulation of the model equations which permits the error analysis for parabolic equations on a fixed domain but introduces technical difficulties, foremost the space-time dependent conductivity and diffusion. We prove optimal-order error estimates in the $\Lp{\infty}(0,T;\Lp{2}(\W))$ and $\Lp{2}(0,T;\Hil{1}(\W))$ norms, and a pointwise stability result. We remark that these apply to Eulerian solutions. Details on the implementation of the Lagrangian and the Eulerian scheme are provided. We also report on a numerical experiment for an application to pattern formation on an evolving domain.