Positive Solutions for a Lotka–Volterra Prey–Predator Model with Cross-Diffusion of Fractional Type

Abstract

In this paper we consider a Lotka–Volterra prey–predator model with cross-diffusion of fractional type. The main purpose is to discuss the existence and nonexistence of positive steady state solutions of such a model. Here a positive solution corresponds to a coexistence state of the model. Firstly we study the stability of the trivial and semi-trivial solutions by analyzing the principal eigenvalue of the corresponding linearized system. Secondly we derive some necessary conditions to ensure the existence of positive solutions, which demonstrate that if the intrinsic growth rate of the prey is too small or the death rate (or the birth rate) of the predator is too large, the model does not possess positive solutions. Thirdly we study the sufficient conditions to ensure the existence of positive solutions by using degree theory. Finally we characterize the stable/unstable regions of semi-trivial solutions and coexistence regions in parameter plane.