The integration of three-dimensional Lotka-Volterra systems

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

The general solutions of many three-dimensional Lotka-Volterra systems, previously known to be at least partially integrable, are constructed with the aid of special functions. Examples include certain ABC and May-Leonard systems. The special functions used are elliptic and incomplete beta functions. In some cases, the solution is parametric, with the independent and dependent variables expressed as functions of a 'new time' variable. This auxiliary variable satisfies a nonlinear third-order differential equation of a generalized Schwarzian type, and results of Carton-LeBrun on the equations of this type that have the Painlevé property are exploited, so as to produce solutions in closed form. For several especially difficult Lotka-Volterra systems, the solutions are expressed in terms of Painlevé transcendents. An appendix on incomplete beta functions and closed-form expressions for their inverses is included.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number20120693
JournalProceedings of the Royal Society A: Mathematical, Physical and Engineering Sciences
Volume469
Issue number2158
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 8 2013

Keywords

  • Generalized Schwarzian equation
  • Lotka-Volterra system
  • Painlevé property

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Mathematics
  • General Engineering
  • General Physics and Astronomy

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The integration of three-dimensional Lotka-Volterra systems'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this