  Active matter systems provide fascinating examples of pattern formation and
collective motility without counterparts in equilibrium systems. Here, we
employ Brownian dynamics simulations to study the collective motion and
self-organization in systems of self-propelled semiflexible filaments, inspired
by the gliding motility of \textit{filamentous Cyanobacteria}. Specifically, we
investigate the influence of stochastic direction reversals on the patterns. We
explore pattern formation and dynamics by modulating three relevant physical
parameters, the bending stiffness, the activity, and the reversal rate. In the
absence of reversals, our results show rich dynamical behavior including spiral
formation and collective motion of aligned clusters of various sizes, depending
on the bending stiffness and self-propulsion force. The presence of reversals
diminishes spiral formation and reduces the sizes of clusters or suppresses
clustering entirely. This homogenizing effect of direction reversals can be
understood as reversals providing an additional mechanism to either unwind
spirals or to resolve clusters.
