Exploring the effects of competition and predation on the success of biological invasion through mathematical modeling

Author
Rivera-Estay, Viviana
Córdova-Lepe, Fernando
Moreno-Gómez, Felipe N.
Benitez, Hugo A.
Gutiérrez, Rodrigo
Date
2024Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Biological invasions are a major cause of species extinction and biodiversity loss. Exotic predators are the type of introduced species that have the greatest negative impact, causing the extinction of hundreds of native species. Despite this, they continue to be intentionally introduced by humans. Understanding the causes that determine the success of these invasions is a challenge within the field of invasion biology. Mathematical models play a crucial role in understanding and predicting the behavior of exotic species in different ecosystems. This study examines the effect of predation and competition on the invasion success of an exotic generalist predator in a native predator-prey system. Considering that the exotic predator both consumes the native prey and competes with the native predator, it is necessary to study the interplay between predation and competition, as one of these interspecific interactions may either counteract or contribute to the impact of the other on the success of a biological invasion. Through a mathematical model, represented by a system of ordinary differential equations, it is possible to describe four different scenarios upon the arrival of the exotic predator in a native predator-prey system. The conditions for each of these scenarios are described analytically and numerically. The numerical simulations are performed considering the American mink (Mustela vison), an invasive generalist predator. The results highlight the importance of considering the interplay between interspecific interactions for understanding biological invasion success.
Fuente
Scientific Reports, 14, 4416Identificador DOI
doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-53344-1Collections
The following license files are associated with this item: