Predator Populations Research Articles

Bifurcation analysis of autonomous and nonautonomous modified Leslie-Gower models.

In ecological systems, the predator-induced fear dampens the prey's birth rate; yet, it fails to extinguish their population, as they endure and survive even under significant fear-induced costs. In this study, we unveil a modified Leslie-Gower predator-prey model by incorporating the fear of predators, cooperative hunting, and predator-taxis sensitivity. We embark upon an exploration of the positivity and boundedness of solutions, unearthing ecologically viable equilibrium points and their stability conditions governed by the model parameters. Delving deeper, we unravel the scenario of transcritical, saddle-node, Hopf, Bogdanov-Takens, and generalized-Hopf bifurcations within the system's intricate dynamics. Additionally, we observe the bistable nature of the system under some parametric conditions. Further, the nonautonomous extension of our model introduces the intriguing interplay of seasonality in some crucial parameters. We establish a set of sufficient conditions that guarantee the permanence of the seasonally driven system. By conducting a numerical study on the seasonally forced model, we observe a myriad of phenomena manifesting the predator-prey dynamics. Notably, periodic solutions, higher periodic solutions, and bursting patterns emerge, alongside intriguing chaotic dynamics. Specifically, seasonal variations of the predator-taxis sensitivity and hunting cooperation can lead to the extinction of prey species and even the control of chaotic (higher periodic) solutions through the generation of a simple periodic solution. Remarkably, the seasonal forcing has the capacity to govern the chaotic behavior, leading to an exceptionally quasi-periodic arrangement in both prey and predator populations.

The role of fish predators and their foraging traits in shaping zooplankton community structure.

Differentiation of foraging traits among predator populations may help explain observed variation in the structure of prey communities. However, few studies have investigated the phenotypic effects of predators on their prey in natural communities. Here, we use a comparative analysis of 78 Greenlandic lakes to examine how foraging trait variation among threespine stickleback populations can help explain variation in zooplankton community composition among lakes. We find that landscape-scale variation in zooplankton composition was jointly explained by lake properties, such as size and water chemistry, and the presence and absence of both stickleback and arctic char. Additional variation in zooplankton community structure can be explained by stickleback jaw protrusion, a trait with known utility for foraging on zooplankton, but only in lakes where stickleback co-occur with arctic char. Overall, our results illustrate how trait variation of predators, alongside other ecosystem properties, can influence the composition of prey communities in nature.

Limited spatiotemporal niche partitioning among mesocarnivores in Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique.

Competition drives community composition and structure in many ecosystems. Spatial and temporal niche partitioning, in which competing species divide the environment in space or time, are mechanisms that may allow for coexistence among ecologically similar species. Such division of resources may be especially important for carnivores in African savannas, which support diverse carnivore assemblages. We used camera traps to explore patterns of spatial and temporal niche partitioning among four mesocarnivore species in Mozambique's Gorongosa National Park: large-spotted genet (Genetta maculata), African civet (Civettictis civetta), honey badger (Mellivora capensis) and marsh mongoose (Atilax paludinosus). We applied a multispecies occupancy model to evaluate spatial partitioning among mesocarnivores and to quantify the environmental factors that affect species-specific habitat use, including relative lion (Panthera leo) activity. We also analyzed the temporal activity overlap of the four focal species. We identified species-specific habitat covariates that influenced detection probabilities but found no evidence of spatial or temporal partitioning among mesocarnivores in the study system. Indeed, we found some evidence for spatial co-occurrence between two of our focal species: African civet and marsh mongoose. There may be limited competition among mesocarnivores in this system, perhaps due to niche and diet differentiation among these species and an abundance of resources. While we found limited evidence that lion activity impacts mesocarnivores, ongoing monitoring of intraguild interactions is vital as apex predator populations recover in the system. This study adds to a growing understanding of African mesocarnivore ecology and highlights the importance of understanding these dynamics for effective multispecies conservation and restoration.

DAMPAK KEKERINGAN TERHADAP KESTABILAN SISTEM MANGSA PEMANGSA DENGAN FUNGSI RESPON HOLLING TIPE III DAN HASIL PEMANENAN KONSTAN PADA MANGSA

ABSTRACT: The dynamic relationship between prey populations and predator populations can be represent in the mathematical model. This research was developed from the mathematical model of predator-prey which was first introduced by Lotka-Volterra, namely by increasing the realism of the model through apply the logistic model to the prey and involving Holling type-III response function. The effects of drought on both populations and constant harvesting of prey are also included in the mathematical model. After the mathematical model is formed, a nondimensional model is then carried out to create a shape from the model that was built previously. This study aims to analyze the impact of drought on the prey-prey system with a type III Holling functional response and constant-yield prey harvesting. There is at least one equilibrium point and there are at most three equilibrium points in the model. Numerical simulations are carried out on the model to see the phase portrait. The simulation results show that if the rate of drought is greater than the intrinsic growth rate of prey then both populations will go towards extinction. However, on the other hand, if the intrinsic growth rate of the prey is greater than the rate of drought, then the dynamics relationship between the predator and prey populations depends on the pattern of constant-yield prey harvesting. Thus, a stable dynamic relationship occurs on the constant-yield prey harvesting at the interval 0<h<=K(r-a1)2

Modeling and Analysis of A Prey-Predator System Incorporating Fear, Predator-Dependent Refuge, with Cannibalism In Prey

The relationship between prey and predator populations is hypothesized and examined using a mathematical model. Predation fear, cannibalism among the prey population, and a refuge reliant on predators are predicted to occur. This study set out to look at the long-term behavior of the proposed model and the effects of its key elements. The solution properties of the model were investigated. All potential equilibrium points' existence and stability were looked at. The system's persistence requirements were established. What circumstances could lead to local bifurcation near equilibrium points was uncovered. Suitable Lyapunov functions are used to study the system's overall dynamics. Numerical simulations were conducted to verify the model's derived long-term behavior and understand the implications of the model's primary parameters in order to support the analytical conclusions. It is observed that the system undergoes different types of local bifurcation including Hopf bifurcation.

Population dynamic study of two prey one predator system with disease in first prey using fuzzy impulsive control

Abstract Objectives The prey-predator model provides a mathematical framework for understanding the population dynamics of interacting species, highlighting the delicate balance between predator and prey populations in ecological systems. The four-species predator-prey model extends the Lotka-Volterra framework to explore the dynamics of ecosystems with multiple interacting species. It provides a theoretical foundation for understanding how the populations of multiple prey and predator species influence each other over time. Apart from the traditional methods like direct approach for solving the non-linear system of equations, recent Fuzzy method approaches have been developed. The solution of non-linear systems using classical methods is not easy due to its non-linearity, analytical complexity, chaotic behavior, etc. and the T-S method is very much effective to analyze the non-linear models. Methods In this study, we considered an eco-epidemic model with two populations of prey and one population of predator, with the only infectious disease infecting the first prey population. The four-dimensional Lotka-Volterra predator-prey system’s model stability has been examined using the Takagi-Sugeno (T-S) impulsive control model and the Fuzzy impulsive control model. Following the formulation of the model, the global stability and the Fuzzy solution are carried out through numerical simulations and graphical representations with appropriate discussion for a better understanding the dynamics of our proposed model. Results The Takagi-Sugeno method has diverse applications in modeling, control, pattern recognition, and decision-making in systems where uncertainty and non-linearity play a significant role. Its ability to combine fuzzy logic with traditional mathematical models provides a powerful tool for addressing complex real-world problems. Conclusions The impulse control approach, what is considered within the foundation of fuzzy systems established on T-S model, is found to be suitable for extremely complex and non-linear systems with impulse effects.

Mathematical modeling and bifurcation analysis of a delayed eco-epidemiological model with disease in predator and linear harvesting

ABSTRACT This study proposes a three-dimensional prey-predator model with disease in predators, including the time delay due to the gestation of the predator population. The positive invariance of the solutions and the existence of equilibria in the proposed system have been explained. We also analyse the local stability of all feasible equilibrium points for the delayed and non-delayed systems. Additionally, the system’s Hopf bifurcation with regard to several parameters has been investigated. Further, the existence of periodic solutions through Hopf bifurcation is shown with respect to time delay, and it is also shown that time delay is crucial in order to control the dynamics of the system. Explicit formulas are presented to determine the direction of the Hopf bifurcation and the stability of the bifurcating periodic solution using the normal form theory and the centre manifold theorem. The outcome of the theoretical investigation is ultimately validated through numerical simulation.

Perceptions and reality in fisher coexistence with aquatic predators in the Peruvian Amazon

AbstractHumans and large aquatic predators compete for fish and negative interactions are widely reported as ‘human–wildlife conflicts’. When aquatic predators are perceived to damage fisheries or fishing equipment, lethal control can occur. The perceptions and reality of damage are infrequently compared, but this relationship is key to determining how negative outcomes can be mitigated. We examine coexistence between people and six large aquatic piscivores (two caiman, two dolphins, two otters) in Amazonian Peru. We determine the extent of damage to fishing equipment caused by each species and compare this to the amount of damage perceived by fishers. Giant otter populations have recently recovered in some areas, so we expected different perceptions relating to experiences with otters. We trained fishers to complete fishing registers (n = 278, 1173 h of fishing) to record damage to nets by wildlife. We interviewed 302 people from three sites to determine perceptions of damage by predators, and attitudes towards giant otters. Rates of damage to nets reflected the presence and populations of different aquatic predators at each site, but when present, dolphins and caimans damaged nets more than otters, which rarely damaged nets. People living where giant otters had recently recovered perceived higher relative levels of damage to nets by them and had more negative attitudes about them, compared to people from areas where giant otters had been present for longer, aquatic predators were more abundant, and community resource management was longer‐established. Better knowledge and more experience with a species may lead to more accurate perceptions of damage and increased tolerance. Where humans and animals compete for natural resources, conflict mitigation rarely includes better resource management. If tolerance of predators is greater where predators are common, and resources have not been overexploited, resource management may yield greater gains for stakeholders than other commonly prescribed forms of mitigation.

Dietary experience alters predatory behavior of two ladybird species on tomato potato psyllid.

The tomato potato psyllid, Bactericera cockerelli, is an invasive pest in Australia, which can cause severe economic loss in the production of Solanaceous crops. As an invasive pest, B. cockerelli may also modify biotic interactions in Australian agricultural and native ecosystems. Resident generalist predators in an area may have the ability to utilize invasive pest species as prey but this will depend on their specific predatory behavior. The extent to which generalist predators learn from their previous dietary experience (i.e., whether they have used a particular species as prey before) and how this impacts subsequent prey choice will influence predator and prey population dynamics after invasion. In this study, one nonnative resident ladybird, Hippodamia variegata, and one native ladybird, Coccinella transversalis, were investigated. Dietary experience with B. cockerelli as a prey species significantly increased preference for the psyllid in a short term (6 h) Petri dish study where a choice of prey was given. Greater suppression of B. cockerelli populations by experienced ladybirds was also observed on glasshouse grown tomato plants. This was presumably due to altered prey recognition by experience. The result of this study suggest the potential to improve the impact of biological control agents on invasive pests by providing early life experience consuming the target species. It may prove valuable for developing improved augmentative release strategies for ladybirds to manage specific insect pest species.

Stability, bifurcation, and control: Modeling interaction of the predator-prey system with Alles effect

In this study, we investigate the resilience and bifurcation properties of a discrete-time predator-prey model incorporating an Allee effect, the transfer of prey to predator energy, and a necessary threshold for prey consumption prior to predator reproduction. The discrete-time formulation involves iteratively adjusting the predator and prey populations at distinct time steps. The model encompasses equations that depict the fluctuations in population sizes, considering processes like breeding, predation, death, and the influence of the Allee effects. The investigation results indicate that the system's boundary equilibrium goes through a period-doubling bifurcation. Moreover, when the system is in close proximity to the exclusive positive equilibrium influenced by the prey-predator population, it exhibits Neimark-Sacker bifurcations. It's worth noting that our observations suggest that the predator population might approach extinction or achieve a stable equilibrium when chaotic dynamics appear in the prey population. The validity of this phenomenon is confirmed using the Lyapunov exponents calculation, which verifies the range of diverse dynamic behaviors. The outcomes and analysis of this research offer intriguing insights in both mathematical and biological realms. Implementing methods for chaos control could be beneficial in stabilizing or mitigating the occurrence of chaotic dynamics. Additionally, the theoretical results are supported by numerical simulations, phase portraits, bifurcation diagrams, graphs depicting chaos control, and maximum Lyapunov exponent graphs.

Dynamics of a generalist predator–prey system with harvesting and hunting cooperation in deterministic/stochastic environment

In this investigation, we explore a predator–prey system characterized by generalist predators exhibiting cooperative behavior during hunting, subject to nonlinear harvesting rate. Employing a Beverton–Holt type functional response to capture the impact of additional food sources on predator growth, our numerical findings affirm the destabilizing influence of hunting cooperation, excessive predation, and supplementary food sources. Conversely, the system demonstrates stabilization in response to increased prey species growth. We unveil the occurrence of both forward and backward bifurcations in the system due to the predator growth attributed to additional food sources, contingent on the degree of hunting cooperation. To broaden the scope, we extend our proposed model to its stochastic counterpart, introducing environmental white noises. Our numerical results anticipate that higher intensities of white noises lead to fluctuations of greater amplitude, while smaller intensities exhibit a more modest impact. Additionally, we elucidate the dynamics of prey and predator populations through histogram plots. The theoretical and numerical insights derived from this study provide a deeper understanding of the intricate dynamics within predator–prey systems of ecological communities, emphasizing the significance of additional food sources for cooperative predators subject to harvesting in both constant and fluctuating environments.

Taxis-Driven Pattern Formation in Tri-Trophic Food Chain Model with Omnivory

The spatiotemporal dynamics of a three-component model of a food web are considered. The model describes the interactions between populations of resources, prey, and predators that consume both species. It assumes that the predator responds to the spatial change in the resource and prey densities by occupying areas where species density is higher (prey-taxis) and that the prey population avoids areas with a high predator density (predator-taxis). This work studies the conditions for the taxis-driven instability leading to the emergence of stationary patterns resulting from Turing instability and autowaves caused by wave instability. The existence of nonconstant positive steady states for the system is assessed through a rigorous bifurcation analysis. Meanwhile, the conditions for the existence of both types of instabilities are obtained by linear stability analysis. It is shown that the presence of cross-diffusion in the system supports the formation of spatially heterogeneous patterns. For low values of the resource-tactic and predator-tactic coefficients, Turing and wave instabilities coexist. The system undergoes only Turing instability for high levels of these parameters.

KONTROL OPTIMAL MODEL LESLIE-GOWER DENGAN PEMANENAN PADA POPULASI PREDATOR DAN PERLINDUNGAN PADA PREY

This paper studied the Leslie-Gower predator-prey model with the effects of prey refuge and linear harvesting on predator populations. Prey populations grow as a logistic model when there is no interaction with predators. The predator population is assumed to have economic value. Analysis of Bionomic and Harvesting Control have been studied further. The results showed that the protective effect of prey had an effect on harvesting activity in the population so that it affected profits in predatory harvests. Simulation of several calculations is given to purchase the analysis results

The Pelagic Species Trait Database, an open data resource to support trait-based ocean research

Trait-based frameworks are increasingly used for predicting how ecological communities respond to ongoing global change. As species range shifts result in novel encounters between predators and prey, identifying prey ‘guilds’, based on a suite of shared traits, can distill complex species interactions, and aid in predicting food web dynamics. To support advances in trait-based research in open-ocean systems, we present the Pelagic Species Trait Database, an extensive resource documenting functional traits of 529 pelagic fish and invertebrate species in a single, open-source repository. We synthesized literature sources and online resources, conducted morphometric analysis of species images, as well as laboratory analyses of trawl-captured specimens to collate traits describing 1) habitat use and behavior, 2) morphology, 3) nutritional quality, and 4) population status information. Species in the dataset primarily inhabit the California Current system and broader NE Pacific Ocean, but also includes pelagic species known to be consumed by top ocean predators from other ocean basins. The aim of this dataset is to enhance the use of trait-based approaches in marine ecosystems and for predator populations worldwide.

Dynamical behaviors of stochastic eco‐epidemic predator–prey model with Allee effect in prey and Lévy jump

In this paper, the dynamical behaviors of a stochastic eco‐epidemic predator–prey model with Lévy jump and Allee effect for prey population are investigated. First, the existence and uniqueness of the global positive solution are built. Then, the long‐term behaviors of the prey and predator populations are obtained. Furthermore, we demonstrate the stochastic ultimate boundedness of all species and the ergodic stationary distribution without Lévy jump. Finally, numerical examples are provided to support the theoretical analysis results.

Virome of Australia's most endangered parrot in captivity evidenced of harboring hitherto unknown viruses.

The impact of circulating viruses on the critically endangered, orange-bellied parrot (OBP) population can be devastating. The OBP already faces numerous threats to its survival in the wild, including habitat loss, predation, and small population impacts. Conservation of the wild OBP population is heavily reliant on supplementation using OBPs from a managed captive breeding program. These birds may act as a source for introduction of a novel disease agent to the wild population that may affect survival and reproduction. It is, therefore, essential to monitor and assess the health of OBPs and take appropriate measures to prevent and control the spread of viral infections. This requires knowledge of the existing virome to identify novel and emerging viruses and support development of appropriate measures to manage associated risk. By monitoring and protecting these animals from emerging viral diseases, we can help ensure their ongoing survival and preserve the biodiversity of our planet.

Demographic response of osprey within the lower Chesapeake Bay to fluctuations in menhaden stock

Forage fish support the largest fisheries in the world and play a vital role in marine food webs by transferring energy from plankton to consumers within higher trophic levels. Growing commercial demand for these species and concern for the impact of over harvest on predator populations has driven a paradigm shift in management objectives from maximizing economic return to the establishment of ecosystem-based limits on harvest rates. How well current harvest policy supports noncommercial species like piscivorous birds remains poorly understood. We investigated the relationship between osprey breeding performance within the lower Chesapeake Bay and a menhaden stock index during a period (1974-2021) when the menhaden index fluctuated over 35-fold. Reproductive rate (young/pair/year), brood provisioning (fish/10-h) and the proportion of menhaden in the diet all declined during the study period. Indicators of food stress including brood reduction and nest failure increased during the study period. The population transitioned from reproductive surplus (demographic source) to reproductive deficit (demographic sink). A significant relationship between reproductive rate and the menhaden index suggests that osprey population viability requires that the menhaden stock be restored to 1980s levels. Current ecological reference points based on the food requirements of predatory fish are unlikely to protect the osprey population. We suggest the establishment of menhaden or reproductive thresholds designed to allow osprey to meet demographic targets (1.15 young/pair/year).

Dynamics caused by the mean-reverting Ornstein–Uhlenbeck process in a stochastic predator–prey model with stage structure

There are many species that go through different life stages in nature, they have different ecological characteristics in different stages, besides, stochastic variation exists in the natural environment. Based on this biological phenomenon, we develop and investigate dynamics in a predator–prey system with stage structure and the mean-reverting Ornstein–Uhlenbeck processes. We prove that this system satisfies the existence and uniqueness of globally positive equilibrium. The sufficient conditions for the existence of a stationary Markov process in stochastic system are attained. We deal with explicit expression and the existence of density function of the system which make a great contribution to biological intrinsic essence for the system. In addition, the sufficient criteria for extinction of the predator populations is derived. Finally, numerical simulations are furnished to illustrate the analysis results.

Combined impact of fear and Allee effect in predator-prey interaction models on their growth

<p>We considered predator-prey models which incorporated both an Allee effect and a new fear factor effect together, and where the predator predated the prey with a Holling type I functional response. We started off with a two-dimensional model where we found possible equilibria and examined their stabilities. By using the predator mortality rate as the bifurcation parameter, the model exhibited Hopf-bifurcation for the coexistence equilibrium. Furthermore, our numerical illustrations demonstrated the effect of fear and the Allee effect on the population densities, and we found that the level of fear had little impact on the long-term prey population level. The population of predators, however, declined as the fear intensity rose, indicating that the fear effect might result in a decline in the predator population. The dynamics of the delayed system were examined and Hopf-bifurcation was discussed. Finally, we looked at an eco-epidemiological model that took into account the same cost of fear and the Allee effect. In this model, the prey was afflicted with a disease. The prey was either susceptible or infected. Numerical simulations were carried out to show that as the Allee threshold rose, the uninfected prey and predator decreased, while the population of infected prey increased. When the Allee threshold hit a certain value, all populations became extinct. As fear intensity increased, the population of uninfected prey decreased, and beyond a certain level of fear, habituation prevented the uninfected prey from changing. After a certain level of fear, the predator population went extinct and, as a result, the only interaction left was between uninfected and infected prey which increased disease transmission, and so the infected prey increased. Hopf-bifurcation was studied by taking the time delay as the bifurcation parameter. We estimated the delay length to preserve stability.</p>

Effect of weather parameters on pink bollworm damage and population of predators in Bt cotton in Central India

Effect of weather parameters on pink bollworm damage and population of predators in Bt cotton in Central India