A delayed predator–prey model with strong Allee effect in prey population growth

Abstract

In this paper, we consider a delayed predator-prey system with intraspecific competition among predator and a strong Allee effect in prey population growth. Using the delay as bifurcation parameter, we investigate the stability of coexisting equilibrium point and show that Hopf-bifurcation can occur when the discrete delay crosses some critical magnitude. The direction of the Hopf-bifurcating periodic solution and its stability are determined by applying the normal form method and the centre manifold theory. In addition, special attention is paid to the global continuation of local Hopf bifurcations. Using the global Hopf-bifurcation result of Wu ({Trans. Am. Math. Soc.} 350:4799–4838, 1998) for functional differential equations, we establish the global existence of periodic solutions. Numerical simulations are carried out to validate the analytical findings.