title: Cannibalism in discrete-time predator-prey systems.
abstract: In this study, we propose and investigate a two-stage population model with cannibalism. It is shown that cannibalism can destabilize and lower the magnitude of the interior steady state. However, it is proved that cannibalism has no effect on the persistence of the population. Based on this model, we study two systems of predator-prey interactions where the prey population is cannibalistic. A sufficient condition based on the nontrivial boundary steady state for which both populations can coexist is derived. It is found via numerical simulations that introduction of the predator population may either stabilize or destabilize the prey dynamics, depending on cannibalism coefficients and other vital parameters.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Mathematics, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan. chow@math.sinica.edu.tw
authors.forename: Yunshyong
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Chow
authors.forename: Sophia R-J
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Jang
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002190:Cannibalism; D003198:Computer Simulation; D017753:Ecosystem; D008954:Models, Biological; D011235:Predatory Behavior / Q000502:physiology*; D013045:Species Specificity; D013997:Time Factors