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Modeling the Impact of Plant Toxicity on Plant–Herbivore Dynamics

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Numerous empirical studies over the past two decades have documented substantial effects of plant toxins on diet choice and feeding behavior of herbivores, but analytical models have failed thus far to incorporate toxin-mediated effects of browsing on plant population dynamics. We study a mathematical model that incorporates plant toxicity in the functional response of plant–herbivore interactions. The model also includes a Lotka–Volterra type competition between plants. The model exhibits a rich variety of complex dynamics including Hopf bifurcation and period-doubling bifurcations. Differences in dynamical behavior stem from interspecific differences in plant biology and strategies for growth and defense as well as variation in responses of herbivores to toxins. Analyses suggest that for realistic parameter values, herbivores are capable of promoting coexistence of plant species by ameliorating competitive effects and hence enhancing biodiversity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mathematics, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA

    Ya Li & Zhilan Feng

  2. Department of Forestry and Natural Resources, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, 47907, USA

    Robert Swihart

  3. Institute of Aretic Biology, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA

    John Bryant

  4. Department of Biological Sciences, Idaho State University, Pocatello, ID, 83209, USA

    Nancy Huntly

Authors
  1. Ya Li
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  2. Zhilan Feng
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  3. Robert Swihart
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  4. John Bryant
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  5. Nancy Huntly
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Correspondence to Zhilan Feng.

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Li, Y., Feng, Z., Swihart, R. et al. Modeling the Impact of Plant Toxicity on Plant–Herbivore Dynamics. J Dyn Diff Equat 18, 1021–1042 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10884-006-9029-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10884-006-9029-y

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