Predator-prey density-dependent branching processes

TL;DR

This paper introduces two density-dependent predator-prey branching process models, analyzing their long-term behaviors, including fixation, extinction, and coexistence, with results validated through simulations.

Contribution

It presents novel models for predator-prey dynamics incorporating density dependence and resource limitations, with analytical results on extinction and coexistence conditions.

Findings

In the first model, coexistence and fixation conditions are characterized.

The second model predicts almost sure extinction of both species.

Simulations confirm the analytical results.

Abstract

Two density-dependent branching processes are considered to model predator-prey populations. For both models, preys are considered to be the main food supply of predators. Moreover, in each generation the number of individuals of each species is distributed according to a binomial distribution with size given by the species population size and probability of success depending on the density of preys per predator at the current generation. The difference between the two proposed processes lies in the food supply of preys. In the first one, we consider that preys have all the food they need at their disposal while in the second one, we assume that the natural resources of the environment are limited and therefore there exists a competition among preys for food supplies. Results on the fixation and extinction of both species as well as conditions for the coexistence are provided for the first model. On the event of coexistence of both populations and on the prey fixation event, the limiting growth rates are obtained. For the second model, we prove that the extinction of the entire system occurs almost surely. Finally, the evolution of both models over the generations is illustrated by simulated examples. Those examples validate our analytical findings.