Multiplicity fluctuations of particles produced in interactions of light nuclei with carbon nuclei at a momentum of 4.2 A GeV/c and their theoretical interpretation

New experimental data on fluctuations in the multiplicities of negatively charged particles in interactions of light nuclei (p, d, He-4, C-12) with carbon nuclei at a momentum of 4.2 A GeV/c in 4 pi geometry are reported. The data indicate a behavior similar to that earlier observed by the NA49 Collaboration. The cascade evaporation model, FRITIOF model, and UrQMD 1.3 model are used to analyze the data. The dependence of the fluctuations on nuclear collision centrality is theoretically described without any exotic assumptions. According to the FRITIOF model, the dependence of the multiplicity fluctuations on the collision centrality is to a large extent governed by fluctuations in the number of "wounded" nucleons that are associated with the experimental observation conditions. The NA49 Collaboration data are also described.