Bifurcation analysis and simulations of a modified Leslie–Gower predator–prey model with constant‐type prey harvesting

Abstract

The paper discusses the effects of constant prey harvesting on the dynamics of a modified Leslie–Gower predator–prey model. Prey harvesting will lead to enriched dynamics to help us realize ecological phenomena such as the extinction of some species with a positive initial density when the harvesting rate is larger than a critical level. All these may be very useful for biological management. Based on these reasons, firstly, we analyze the existence conditions and stability of different equilibrium points to predict the eventual state of the given system. In particular, the existence of cusps of Codimensions 2 and 3 is proved. Secondly, we successfully demonstrate the presence of Hopf bifurcation and saddle‐node bifurcation for specified parameter values. To prove the limit cycle stability of Hopf bifurcation, we use the first Lyapunov coefficient for illustration. As well as calculating the universal expansion near the cusp, the Bogdanov–Takens bifurcations of Codimensions 2 and 3 are investigated. If the parameters are chosen fittingly, there will be a stable or an unstable limit cycle, a homoclinic loop, two limit cycles, or both a limit cycle and a homoclinic loop simultaneously in the system. Finally, numerical simulations are performed using MATLAB to illustrate the theoretical results.