Eco-evolutionary cycles in a matching type predator-prey interaction

Abstract: We study the population dynamics of a predator-prey system with two types in each species. Within a species, predator or prey, dynamics are described by a neutral competitive Lotka-Volterra model, i.e., birth, death and competition parameters are equal for both types. Additionally, we assume that the intra- and inter-type competition parameters are equal. The predator-prey interaction is defined by a matching-types model where predators of type $i$ exclusively interact with prey of type $i$. The individual-based model is described by a birth-death process with immigration, where immigration reflects mutations between the types of the same species. We completely describe the deterministic dynamics arising as a large population limit of this birth-death process. We find that depending on the parameters, potential equilibria are the coexistence of all four types, coexistence of a non-matching or matching pair of predators and prey, or the extinction of the predator or prey species resulting in a line of two-type equilibria. When mutations are sufficiently rare, then the predator-prey dynamics are described by successive jumps between the different deterministic equilibria on this mutational time scale. These jumps describe eco-evolutionary cycles of repeated prey or predator invasions and declines. When coexistence of all the types is possible, we show that these cycles accumulate on this time scale. Lastly, to prove that after the accumulation point the system converges to the coexistence equilibrium, we consider a slightly modified model with unequal intra- and inter-type competition parameters. This modified setting allows us to conclude that after the accumulation point all four populations remain macroscopic and converge to the coexistence equilibrium.