On some free boundary problems of the prey–predator model

In this paper we investigate some free boundary problems for the Lotka–Volterra type prey–predator model in one space dimension. The main objective is to understand the asymptotic behavior of the two species (prey and predator) spreading via a free boundary. We prove a spreading–vanishing dichotomy, namely the two species either successfully spread to the entire space as time t goes to infinity and survive in the new environment, or they fail to establish and die out in the long run. The long time behavior of solution and criteria for spreading and vanishing are also obtained. Finally, when spreading successfully, we provide an estimate to show that the spreading speed (if exists) cannot be faster than the minimal speed of traveling wavefront solutions for the prey–predator model on the whole real line without a free boundary.     

Dynamics for a diffusive prey–predator model with different free boundaries

To understand the spreading and interaction of prey and predator, in this paper we study the dynamics of the diffusive Lotka–Volterra type prey–predator model with different free boundaries. These two free boundaries, which may intersect each other as time evolves, are used to describe the spreading of prey and predator. We investigate the existence and uniqueness, regularity and uniform estimates, and long time behaviors of global solution. Some sufficient conditions for spreading and vanishing are established. When spreading occurs, we provide the more accurate limits of $(u,v)$ as $t\to \infty$, and give some estimates of asymptotic spreading speeds of $u,v$ and asymptotic speeds of $g,h$. Some realistic and significant spreading phenomena are found.     

Qualitative analysis of a diffusive prey–predator model

In this work we examine a Lotka–Volterra model with diffusion describing the dynamics of multiple interacting prey and predator species. We show that the solution exists, and is unique, bounded, nonnegative, and globally defined. We also prove the non-existence of nonconstant steady state solutions if certain conditions are satisfied. For the particular case of two prey (e.g., engineered and native, respectively) and one common predator species, by performing a linear stability analysis about the initial native-dominant steady state, we determine under which conditions the engineered species invasion succeeds.     

Existence of positive stationary solutions for a diffusive variable-territory prey–predator model

This paper concerns the existence of positive stationary solutions for a diffusive variable-territory prey–predator model, and completely settles an open problem of Wang and Pang (2009). The main result closes a gap in an earlier result (2011) by the authors.     

Asymptotic profiles of positive steady states for a diffusive predator–prey model with predator interference

This paper is concerned with positive steady states for a diffusive predator–prey model with predator interference in a spatially heterogeneous environment. We first establish the necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of positive steady states. In order to get a better understanding of the structure of positive steady states, we further investigate the asymptotic profiles of positive steady states as some parameter tends to zero or infinity.     

The problem of the nonlinear diffusive predator–prey model with the same biotic resource

In recent years, the research on the diffusive predator–prey model has attracted much attention. In these models, the carrying capacity is considered as a constant. In 2013, H. M. Safuan investigated the system of a predator and prey that shares the same biotic resource, where the carrying capacity is a function of the time. The spatial component of ecological interactions has been recognized as an important factor. So, we will discuss the problem of the nonlinear diffusive predator–prey model with the same biotic resource. This model is the system of the nonlinear partial differential equations with zero-flux boundary condition. The main objective of the present paper is to investigate the existence and uniqueness of the solution of this model. In this paper, we also obtain that there is a unique solution of the nonlinear partial differential equations with Dirichlet boundary condition.     

Bifurcation analysis on a diffusive Holling–Tanner predator–prey model

This paper is concerned with a diffusive Holling–Tanner predator–prey model subject to homogeneous Neumann boundary condition. By choosing the ratio of intrinsic growth rates of predator to prey λ as the bifurcation parameter, we find that spatially homogeneous and non-homogeneous Hopf bifurcation occur at the positive constant steady state as λ varies. The steady state bifurcation of simple and double eigenvalues are intensively investigated. The techniques of space decomposition and the implicit function theorem are adopted to deal with the case of double eigenvalues. Our results show that this model can exhibit spatially non-homogeneous periodic and stationary patterns induced by the parameter λ. Numerical simulations are presented to illustrate our theoretical results.     

Stability and Hopf bifurcation of a diffusive predator–prey model with predator saturation and competition

This article discusses a predator–prey system with predator saturation and competition functional response. The local stability, existence of a Hopf bifurcation at the coexistence equilibrium and stability of bifurcating periodic solutions are obtained in the absence of diffusion. Further, we discuss the diffusion-driven instability, Hopf bifurcation for corresponding diffusion system with zero flux boundary condition and Turing instability region regarding the parameters are established. Finally, numerical simulations supporting the theoretical analysis are also included.     

Existence of traveling wave solutions for diffusive predator–prey type systems

In this work we investigate the existence of traveling wave solutions for a class of diffusive predator–prey type systems whose each nonlinear term can be separated as a product of suitable smooth functions satisfying some monotonic conditions. The profile equations for the above system can be reduced as a four-dimensional ODE system, and the traveling wave solutions which connect two different equilibria or the small amplitude traveling wave train solutions are equivalent to the heteroclinic orbits or small amplitude periodic solutions of the reduced system. Applying the methods of Wazewski Theorem, LaSalle?s Invariance Principle and Hopf bifurcation theory, we obtain the existence results. Our results can apply to various kinds of ecological models.     

Analysis of a diffusive Leslie–Gower predator–prey model with nonmonotonic functional response

In this paper, a diffusive Leslie–Gower predator–prey system with nonmonotonic functional respond is studied. We obtain the persistence of this model and show the local asymptotic stability of positive constant equilibrium by linearized analysis and the global stability by constructing Liapunov function. Besides, Turing instability of this equilibrium is obtained. The existence and nonexistence of positive nonconstant steady states of this model are established. Furthermore, by numerical simulations we illustrate the patterns of prey and predator.     

Stationary pattern of a diffusive prey–predator model with trophic intersections of three levels

The paper is concerned with a diffusive prey–predator model subject to the homogeneous Neumann boundary condition, which models the trophic intersections of three levels. We will prove that under certain assumptions, even though the unique positive constant steady state is globally asymptotically stable for the dynamics with diffusion, the non-constant positive steady state can exist due to the emergence of cross-diffusion. We demonstrate that the cross-diffusion can create stationary pattern. Moreover, we treat the cross-diffusion parameter as a bifurcation parameter and discuss the existence of non-constant positive solutions to the system with cross-diffusion.     

Global dynamics of a predator–prey model with defense mechanism for prey

Recently, Venturino and Petrovskii proposed a general predator–prey model with group defense for prey species (Venturino and Petrovskii, 2013). The local dynamics had been studied and showed that the model might undergo Hopf bifurcation, and have an extinction domain. In this paper, we dedicate ourselves to the investigation of the global dynamics of the model by establishing the conditions of the nonexistence of periodic orbits, and the existence and uniqueness of limit cycles.     

Positive solutions of a diffusive Leslie–Gower predator–prey model with Bazykin functional response

In this paper, we consider a diffusive Leslie–Gower predator–prey model with Bazykin functional response and zero Dirichlet boundary condition. We show the existence, multiplicity and uniqueness of positive solutions when parameters are in different regions. Results are proved by using bifurcation theory, fixed point index theory, energy estimate and asymptotical behavior analysis.     

Pattern formation of a predator–prey model

In this paper, we analyze the spatial pattern of a predator–prey system. We get the critical line of Hopf and Turing bifurcation in a spatial domain. In particular, the exact Turing domain is given. Also we perform a series of numerical simulations. The obtained results reveal that this system has rich dynamics, such as spotted, stripe and labyrinth patterns, which shows that it is useful to use the reaction–diffusion model to reveal the spatial dynamics in the real world.     

Bifurcation and Turing pattern formation in a diffusive ratio-dependent predator–prey model with predator harvesting

The ratio-dependent predator–prey model exhibits rich dynamics due to the singularity of the origin. Harvesting in a ratio-dependent predator–prey model is relatively an important research project from both ecological and mathematical points of view. In this paper, we study the temporal, spatial and spatiotemporal dynamics of a ratio-dependent predator–prey diffusive model where the predator population harvest at catch-per-unit-effort hypothesis. For the spatially homogeneous model, we derive conditions for determining the direction of Hopf bifurcation and the stability of the bifurcating periodic solution by the center manifold and the normal form theory. For the reaction–diffusion model, firstly it is shown that Turing (diffusion-driven) instability occurs, which induces spatial inhomogeneous patterns. Then it is demonstrated that the model exhibit Hopf bifurcation which produces temporal inhomogeneous patterns. Finally, the existence and non-existence of positive non-constant steady-state solutions are established. Moreover, numerical simulations are performed to visualize the complex dynamic behavior.     

Global dynamics of a predator–prey model with time delay and stage structure for the prey

A stage-structured predator–prey system with Holling type-II functional response and time delay due to the gestation of predator is investigated. By analyzing the characteristic equations, the local stability of each of feasible equilibria of the system is discussed and the existence of a Hopf bifurcation at the coexistence equilibrium is established. By means of the persistence theory on infinite dimensional systems, it is proven that the system is permanent if the coexistence equilibrium exists. By using Lyapunov functionals and LaSalle invariant principle, it is shown that the trivial equilibrium is globally stable when both the predator-extinction equilibrium and the coexistence equilibrium are not feasible, and that the predator-extinction equilibrium is globally asymptotically stable if the coexistence equilibrium does not exist, and sufficient conditions are derived for the global stability of the coexistence equilibrium. Numerical simulations are carried out to illustrate the main theoretical results.     

Effects of boundary conditions on pattern formation in a nonlocal prey–predator model

Effects of periodic and Neumann boundary conditions on a nonlocal prey–predator model are investigated. Two types of kernel functions with finite supports are used to characterize the nonlocal interactions. These kernel functions are modified to handle the Neumann boundary condition. Numerical techniques to find the Turing and spatial-Hopf thresholds for Neumann boundary condition are also described. For a fixed range of nonlocal interaction with a given kernel function, Turing bifurcation curves corresponding to both the boundary conditions are close to each other. The same is true for the spatial-Hopf bifurcation curves too. However, the nonlinear solutions inside the Turing domain as well as spatial-Hopf domain depend on the boundary condition. Thus, boundary conditions play important roles in a nonlocal model of prey-predator interaction.     

Dynamics of a delayed predator–prey model with predator migration

Based on the availability of prey and a simple predator–prey model, we propose a delayed predator–prey model with predator migration to describe biological control. We first study the existence and stability of equilibria. It turns out that backward bifurcation occurs with the migration rate as bifurcation parameter. The stability of the trivial equilibrium and the boundary equilibrium is delay-independent. However, the stability of the positive equilibrium may be delay-dependent. Moreover, delay can switch the stability of the positive equilibrium. When the positive equilibrium loses stability, Hopf bifurcation can occur. The direction and stability of Hopf bifurcation is derived by applying the center manifold method and the normal form theory. The main theoretical results are illustrated with numerical simulations.     

Permanence and periodic solutions for a diffusive ratio-dependent predator–prey system

This paper considers a diffusive predator–prey model, in which there is a ratio-dependent functional response with Holling III type. We establish some sufficient conditions for the ultimate boundedness of solutions and permanence of this system. The existence of a unique globally stable periodic solution is also presented.