Dynamics of a lattice gas system of three species

This paper considers a mutualism system of three species in which each species provides resource for the next one in a one-directional loop, while there exists spatial competition among them. The system is characterized by a lattice gas model and the cases of obligate mutualisms, obligate-facultative mutualisms and facultative mutualisms are considered. Using dynamical systems theory, it is shown that (i) the mutualisms can lead to coexistence of species; (ii) A weak mutualism or an extremely strong mutualism will result in extinction of species, while even the superior facultative species will be driven into extinction by its over-strong mutualism on the next one; (iii) Initial population density plays a role in the coexistence of species. It is also shown that when there exists weak mutualism, an obligate species can survive by providing more benefit to the next one, and the inferior facultative species will not be driven into extinction if it can strengthen its mutualism on the next species. Moreover, Hopf bifurcation, saddle-node bifurcation and bifurcation of heteroclinic cycles are shown in the system. Projection method is extended to exhibit bistability in the three-dimensional model: when saddle-node bifurcation occurs, stable manifold of the saddle-node point divides intR+3 into two basins of attraction of two equilibria. Furthermore, Lyapunov method is applied to exhibit unstability of heteroclinic cycles. Numerical simulations confirm and extend our results.