In ecology, prey switching refers to a predator’s adaptive change of habitat or diet in response to prey abundance. In this paper, we study piecewise-smooth models of predator-prey interactions with a linear trade-off in a predator’s prey preference. We consider optimally foraging predators and derive a model for a 1 predator-2 prey interaction with a tilted switching manifold between the two s...

In this survey, we briefly review some of our recent studies on predator-prey models with discrete delay. We first study the distribution of zeros of a second degree transcendental polynomial. Then we apply the general results on the distribution of zeros of the second degree transcendental polynomial to various predator-prey models with discrete delay, including Kolmogorov-type predator-prey m...

This article investigates the effects of reaching the maximum sustainable yield (MSY) in prey–predator systems where the prey population follows logistic law of growth. Two different models are proposed: (i) first model involves linear prey–predator interaction and intraspecific competition among predator populations, and (ii) the second one is a ratio-dependent prey–predator system. In the fir...

BACKGROUND Most ecological models assume that predator and prey populations interact solely through consumption: predators reduce prey densities by killing and consuming individual prey. However, predators can also reduce prey densities by forcing prey to adopt costly defensive strategies. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS We build on a simple Lotka-Volterra predator-prey model to provide a heur...

Determining where, when and how much animals eat is fundamental to understanding their ecology. We developed a technique to identify a prey capture signature for little penguins from accelerometry, in order to quantify food intake remotely. We categorised behaviour of captive penguins from HD video and matched this to time-series data from back-mounted accelerometers. We then trained a support ...

A central question in evolutionary biology is how coevolutionary history between predator and prey influences their interactions. Contemporary global change and range expansion of exotic organisms impose a great challenge for prey species, which are increasingly exposed to invading non-native predators, with which they share no evolutionary history. Here, we complete a comprehensive survey of e...

1. Population models based on Lotka±Volterra-type di€erential equations with logistic prey were made for a simple stream community including two stone ̄y prey Leuctra nigra Olivier and Nemurella pictetii KlaÁ palek, and two predators, the caddis ̄y Plectrocnemia conspersa (Curtis) and the alder ̄y Sialis fuliginosa Pictet. In order to assess the importance of predation in this system, we construct...