Bifurcations in a Seasonally Forced Predator–Prey Model with Generalized Holling Type IV Functional Response

Abstract

A seasonally forced predator–prey system with generalized Holling type IV functional response is considered in this paper. The influence of seasonal forcing on the system is investigated via numerical bifurcation analysis. Bifurcation diagrams for periodic solutions of periods one and two, containing bifurcation curves of codimension one and bifurcation points of codimension two, are obtained by means of a continuation technique, corresponding to different bifurcation cases of the unforced system illustrated in five bifurcation diagrams. The seasonally forced model exhibits more complex dynamics than the unforced one, such as stable and unstable periodic solutions of various periods, stable and unstable quasiperiodic solutions, and chaotic motions through torus destruction or cascade of period doublings. Finally, some phase portraits and corresponding Poincaré map portraits are given to illustrate these different types of solutions.