Obligate mutualism with a predator: Stability and persistence of three- species models (Q1100138): Difference between revisions

A system of three ordinary differential equations modelling the interaction of a mutualist species with a predator-prey system is presented. The mutualist benefits the predator's interaction with the prey. Biologically such a case could arise by the mutualist enhancing the prey growth rate, the rate of prey capture or the efficiency of utilization of the prey or by providing an alternative food supply for the predator. Moreover the presence of the mutualist is assumed obligatory, i.e. the predator cannot survive on the prey in the absence of the mutualist. The main mathematical result is a theorem which provides conditions under which this three species interaction is persistent.