Predator-prey oscillations can shift when diseases become endemic

Reference:

Bate, A. and Hilker, F., 2013. Predator-prey oscillations can shift when diseases become endemic. Journal of Theoretical Biology, 316, pp. 1-8.

Related documents:

Official URL:

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jtbi.2012.09.013

Abstract

In epidemiology, knowing when a disease is endemic is important. This is usually done by finding the basic reproductive number, R0, using equilibrium-based calculations. However, oscillatory dynamics are common in nature. Here, we model a disease with density dependent transmission in an oscillating predator–prey system. The condition for disease persistence in predator–prey cycles is based on the time-average density of the host and not the equilibrium density. Consequently, the time-averaged basic reproductive number View the MathML source is what determines whether a disease is endemic, and not on the equilibrium-based basic reproductive number View the MathML source. These findings undermine any R0 analysis based solely on steady states when predator–prey oscillations exist for density dependent diseases.

Export

Actions (login required)