Ecological oscillations induced by a shared predator and the "Winner peaks first" rule

TY - JOUR

T1 - Ecological oscillations induced by a shared predator and the "Winner peaks first" rule

AU - Cordsen, Pia

AU - Pigolotti, Simone

AU - Jensen, Mogens Høgh

PY - 2011/9/16

Y1 - 2011/9/16

N2 - We investigate the dynamics of an ecological system made up of one predator feeding on two different prey species. In a large range of parameter space, the system displays oscillating solutions. We show that, in the regime in which the two preys coexist, the better fit prey consistently peaks first. Further, we classify the possible oscillations of the network by a symbolic dynamics method. Our findings show that the symbolic orbits of an ecological system contain information about which of two preys is the better fit, and when one is bound to extinction.

AB - We investigate the dynamics of an ecological system made up of one predator feeding on two different prey species. In a large range of parameter space, the system displays oscillating solutions. We show that, in the regime in which the two preys coexist, the better fit prey consistently peaks first. Further, we classify the possible oscillations of the network by a symbolic dynamics method. Our findings show that the symbolic orbits of an ecological system contain information about which of two preys is the better fit, and when one is bound to extinction.

U2 - 10.1103/physreve.84.031915

DO - 10.1103/physreve.84.031915

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 22060411

SN - 1539-3755

VL - 84

SP - 031915

JO - Physical Review E. Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics

JF - Physical Review E. Statistical, Nonlinear, and Soft Matter Physics

IS - 3

ER -