In this paper we consider one-predator-two-prey population dynamics described by a control system. We study and compare conditions for permanence of the system for three types of predator feeding behaviors: (i) specialized feeding on the more profitable prey type, (ii) generalized feeding on both prey types, and (iii) optimal foraging behavior. We show that the region of parameter space leading to permanence for optimal foraging behavior is smaller than that for specialized behavior, but larger than that for generalized behavior. This suggests that optimal foraging behavior of predators may promote coexistence in predator-prey systems. We also study the effects of the above three feeding behaviors on apparent competition between the two prey types.

Department of Theoretical Biology Institute of Entomology Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic and Faculty of Biological Sciences USB Branisovská 31 Ceské Budejovice 370 05 Czech Republic

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