Multiple periodic solutions of delayed predator–prey systems with type IV functional responses

Abstract

In this paper, we considered a periodic predator–prey system with a type IV functional response, which incorporates the periodicity of the environment. Sufficient conditions for the existence of multiple positive periodic solutions are established by applying the continuation theorem. This is the first time that multiple periodic solutions are obtained by using the theory of coincidence degree. Moreover, unlike other types of functional responses, a type IV functional response declines at high prey densities. Thus the existing arguments for obtaining bounds of solutions to the operator equation Lx= λNx are inapplicable to our case and some new arguments are employed for the first time.