Positive coexistence of steady states for a diffusive ratio-dependent predator-prey model with an infected prey (Q492596)

The authors consider a system of three coupled PDEs for predator, susceptible prey and infected prey densities \(u\), \(v\) and \(w\). Predators only prey on infected prey, and the predator growth rate depends on the ratio of prey to predator abundance. The goal of the paper is to investigate the steady states and asymptotic behaviour of the model. In particular, the authors focus on the all-zero steady state \((u,v,w)\equiv(0,0,0)\) in which all species are extinct, the state \((u,v,w)=(u_0,0,0)\) in which only the healthy prey survives, and \textit{positive} states in which all three species coexist. If the intrinsic growth rate \(a\) of the susceptible prey is sufficiently small, then the state \((0,0,0)\) is asymptotically stable (see Theorem 2). For large enough \(a\), and under additional conditions on the other parameters, \((u_0,0,0)\) is asymptotically stable. The conditions in Theorem 2 relate to the principal eigenvalue of an associated eigenvalue problem. Theorem 10 provides sufficient conditions -- amongst others, \(a\) sufficiently large -- for the existence of a positive \textit{steady state}. Finally, Remark 11 gives conditions under which either the all-zero steady state exists, or nontrivial steady states \textit{do not} exist.