Complex phase dynamics in coupled bursters

The phenomenon of phase multistability in the synchronization of two coupled oscillatory systems typically arises when the systems individually display complex wave forms associated, for instance, with the presence of subharmonic components. Alternatively, phase multistability can be caused by variations of the phase velocity along the orbit of the individual oscillator. Focusing on the mechanisms underlying the appearance of phase multistability, the paper examines a variety of phase-locked patterns in the bursting behavior of a model of coupled pancreatic cells. In particular, we show how the number of spikes per train and the proximity of a neighboring equilibrium point can influence the formation of coexisting regimes.