Numerical bifurcation analysis for a prey-predator type interactions with a time lag and habitat complexity

Abstract

In this paper, a two-component generic prey-predator system incorporated with habitat complexity in predator functional response, and with constant time delay in predator gestation is considered. Although the role of time delay on the system dynamics is widely studied in the literature, only a few researchers have addressed the effect of habitat complexity in the prey-predator type interactions. In the first part of the paper the equilibria and stability analysis of the mathematical model is mentioned. In the second part, particular attention is paid on the numerical bifurcation analysis of the prey and predator densities based on two system parameters:(i) the strength of homogeneous habitat complexity and (ii) predator attack rate with and without time delay. It is found that dynamics with time delay in predator gestation are found to be much richer compared to that without time delay. The system stability may change from stable to unstable through a Hopf bifurcation and the solution branches emanating from these Hopf points are usually stable and supercritical. However, delay driven system may lead unstable orbits arising from Hopf bifurcations. It is also found that increasing the strength of habitat complexity may lead the stability change from unstable to stable.