The period function of the generalized Lotka-Volterra centers (Q2480319)

The author studies the period function of the origin for the quadratic system \[ \dot x=-y-bx^2-cxy+by^2,\quad \dot y= x+xy, \] where \(b\) and \(c\) are real parameters. Although it is believed that this function will be increasing, this is yet an open question. He proves that for every value of the parameters \((b,c)\) other than \((-1/2,0),\) for which the center is isochronous, the period function of the origin is monotonous increasing near the outer boundary of the period annulus. In addition: (i) there is no bifurcation of critical periods from the outer boundary of the period annulus at the parameters inside \({\mathbb R}^2\setminus \{\Gamma_1\cup\Gamma_2\};\) (ii) if \((a,b)\in \Gamma_1\) then the period function is globally monotone increasing. Here \(\Gamma_1=\{ (b,c)\in {\mathbb R}^2 : b(b+1)(c^2+4b(b+1))=0 \}\) and \(\Gamma_2=\{(b,c)\in {\mathbb R}^2 : b\in(-1,0) ,\;c=0\}.\) Notice that all these results confirm the expected property and that the sets \(\Gamma_j, j=1,2,\) essentially correspond to bifurcations in the phase portraits of the system. The proof of the first two results is quite technical and uses a previous result of the author and collaborators that gives an asymptotic expansion of the time function associated to the passage trough a hyperbolic saddle for some meromorphic vector fields. The proof of (ii) uses that for these cases the corresponding planar vector fields can be transformed into Hamiltonian systems having Hamiltonian functions of the form \(F(u)+G(v).\)