Complex dynamic behaviors of a discrete-time predator–prey system

The dynamics of a discrete-time predator–prey system is investigated in the closed first quadrant R+2. It is shown that the system undergoes flip bifurcation and Hopf bifurcation in the interior of R+2 by using center manifold theorem and bifurcation theory. Numerical simulations are presented not only to illustrate our results with the theoretical analysis, but also to exhibit the complex dynamical behaviors, such as the period-5, 6, 9, 10, 14, 18, 20, 25 orbits, cascade of period-doubling bifurcation in period-2, 4, 8, quasi-periodic orbits and the chaotic sets. These results reveal far richer dynamics of the discrete model compared with the continuous model. The Lyapunov exponents are numerically computed to confirm further the complexity of the dynamical behaviors.