Complex Behaviour in a Discrete Coupled Logistic Model for the Symbiotic Interaction of Two Species

Abstract

A symmetrical cubic discrete coupled logistic equation is proposed to model the symbiotic interaction of two isolated species. The coupling depends on the population size of both species and on a positive constant $\lambda$, named the mutual benefit. Different dynamical regimes are obtained when the mutual benefit is modified. For small $\lambda$, the species become extinct. For increasing $\lambda$, the system stabilizes in a synchronized state or oscillates in a 2 periodic orbit. For the greatest permitted values of $\lambda$, the dynamics evolves into a quasiperiodic, into a chaotic scenario or into extinction. The basins for these regimes are visualized as coloured figures on the plane. These patterns suffer different change as consequence of basins' bifurcations. The use of the critical curves let us to determine the influence of the zones with different number of first rank preimages in those bifurcation mechanisms.