Influence of the Rosenzweig functional response on the dynamics of the
Leslie-Gower model
Abstract
After the well-known classification formulated by Crawford S. Holling in
1959 of the functional responses dependent only of the prey populations,
various other have been proposed. In this work a simple Leslie-Gower
type predator-prey model is analyzed, incorporating the Rosenzweig
functional response described by $h\left(
x\right) =qx^{\alpha }$, with
$0<\alpha <1$. This function does
not conform to the types proposed by Holling, since is not bounded.
Although this functional response is non-differentiable for $x=0 $, it
is proved that the obtained system is Lipschitzian. However, the
existence of a separatrix curve $\Sigma $ in the phase
plane it is proven, which divides the phase plane en two complemntary
sectors. According to the relative position of the initial conditions
respect to the curve $\Sigma $ , the trajectories can
have differents $\omega $-$limit$, which can be the
equilibrium $\left( 0,0\right) $, or
else, a positive equilibrium point, or a limit cycle or a heteroclinic
curve. These properties show the great diffference of this model with
the original and well-known Leslie-Gower model (when
$\alpha =1$), since this last has only a unique
positive equilibrium, which is globally asymptotically stable. Then, it
can concluded that i) a small change in the mathematical expression for
the functional response, it produces a strong change on the dynamics of
model. ii) \ a slightest deviation in the initial
population sizes, respect to the curve $\Sigma $, it
can signify the coexistence of populations or the extinction of both.
Numerical simulations are given to endorse our analytical results.