# Death by starvation in May-Leonard models

## TL;DR

This paper investigates how individual death due to starvation affects the dynamics and coexistence in spatial stochastic May-Leonard models with mutual predation, using 2D simulations with two and three species.

## Contribution

It introduces the impact of starvation-induced death on population dynamics and coexistence in May-Leonard models, a novel aspect not previously explored.

## Key findings

- Starvation death significantly influences population stability.
- Coexistence is preserved through starvation mechanisms.
- Simulation results highlight the importance of individual death thresholds.

## Abstract

We consider the dynamics of spatial stochastic May-Leonard models with mutual predation interactions of equal strength between any two individuals of different species. Using two-dimensional simulations, with two and three pecies, we investigate the dynamical impact of the death of individuals after a given threshold number of successive unsuccessful predation attempts. We find that the death of these individuals can have a strong impact on the dynamics of population networks and provide a crucial contribution to the preservation of coexistence.