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We have studied properties of non-linear waves in a mathematical model of a predator – prey system with taxis. We demonstrate that, for systems with negative and positive taxis there typically exists a large region in the parameter space, where the waves demonstrate quasi-soliton interaction; colliding waves can penetrate through each other, and waves can also reflect from impermeable boundaries. In this paper, we use numerical simulations to demonstrate also a new wave phenomenon — a half-soliton interaction of waves, when of two colliding waves, one annihilates and the other continues to propagate. We show that this effect depends on the «ages» or, equivalently, «widths» of the colliding waves.

The paper investigates the dynamics of a finite-dimensional model describing the interaction of three populations: prey $x(t)$, its consuming predator $y(t)$, and a superpredator $z(t)$ that feeds on both species. Mathematically, the problem is formulated as a system of nonlinear first-order differential equations with the following right-hand side: $[x(1-x)-(y+z)g;\,\eta_1^{}yg-d_1^{}f-\mu_1^{}y;\,\eta_2^{}zg+d_2^{}f-\mu_2^{}z]$, where $\eta_j^{}$, $d_j^{}$, $\mu_j^{}$ ($j=1,\,2$) are positive coefficients. The considered model belongs to the class of cosymmetric dynamical systems under the Lotka\,--\,Volterra functional response $g=x$, $f=yz$, and two parameter constraints: $\mu_2^{}=d_2^{}\left(1+\frac{\mu_1^{}}{d_1^{}}\right)$, $\eta_2^{}=d_2^{}\left(1+\frac{\eta_1^{}}{d_1^{}}\right)$. In this case, a family of equilibria is being of a straight line in phase space. We have analyzed the stability of the equilibria from the family and isolated equilibria. Maps of stationary solutions and limit cycles have been constructed. The breakdown of the family is studied by violating the cosymmetry conditions and using the Holling model $g(x)=\frac x{1+b_1^{}x}$ and the Beddington–DeAngelis model $f(y,\,z)=\frac{yz}{1+b_2^{}y+b_3^{}z}$. To achieve this, the apparatus of Yudovich's theory of cosymmetry is applied, including the computation of cosymmetric defects and selective functions. Through numerical experimentation, invasive scenarios have been analyzed, encompassing the introduction of a superpredator into the predator-prey system, the elimination of the predator, or the superpredator.

We propose a four-component model of a plankton community with discrete time. The model considers the competitive relationships of phytoplankton groups exhibited between each other and the trophic characteristics zooplankton displays: it considers the division of zooplankton into predatory and non-predatory components. The model explicitly represents the consumption of non-predatory zooplankton by predatory. Non-predatory zooplankton feeds on phytoplankton, which includes two competing components: toxic and non-toxic types, with the latter being suitable for zooplankton food. A model of two coupled Ricker equations, focused on describing the dynamics of a competitive community, describes the interaction of two phytoplanktons and allows implicitly taking into account the limitation of each of the competing components of biomass growth by the availability of external resources. The model describes the prey consumption by their predators using a Holling type II trophic function, considering predator saturation.

The analysis of scenarios for the transition from stationary dynamics to fluctuations in the population size of community members showed that the community loses the stability of the non-trivial equilibrium corresponding to the coexistence of the complete community both through a cascade of period-doubling bifurcations and through a Neimark – Sacker bifurcation leading to the emergence of quasi-periodic oscillations. Although quite simple, the model proposed in this work demonstrates dynamics of comunity similar to that natural systems and experiments observe: with a lag of predator oscillations relative to the prey by about a quarter of the period, long-period antiphase cycles of predator and prey, as well as hidden cycles in which the prey density remains almost constant, and the predator density fluctuates, demonstrating the influence fast evolution exhibits that masks the trophic interaction. At the same time, the variation of intra-population parameters of phytoplankton or zooplankton can lead to pronounced changes the community experiences in the dynamic mode: sharp transitions from regular to quasi-periodic dynamics and further to exact cycles with a small period or even stationary dynamics. Quasi-periodic dynamics can arise at sufficiently small phytoplankton growth rates corresponding to stable or regular community dynamics. The change of the dynamic mode in this area (the transition from stable dynamics to quasi-periodic and vice versa) can occur due to the variation of initial conditions or external influence that changes the current abundances of components and shifts the system to the basin of attraction of another dynamic mode.