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Alternative stable states in host–phage dynamics

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Abstract

Bacteriophage are ubiquitous in nature, yet many central aspects of host–phage biology have not been integrated into mathematical models. We propose a novel model of host–phage population dynamics that accounts for the decreased ability of phages to lyse hosts as hosts approach their carrying capacity. In contrast to existing predator–prey-like models, we find a parameter regime in which phages cannot invade a host-only system but, nonetheless, can stably coexist with hosts at lower densities. The finding of alternative stable states suggests clear linkages with observed life history strategies of phages. In addition, we solve a limiting case of the proposed model and show that conservative predator-prey like systems do not inevitably exhibit population cycles. Finally, we discuss possible extensions of the present model and scenarios for experimental testing.

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Acknowledgements

We are pleased to acknowledge the support of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency under grant HR0011-05-1-0057 to Princeton University. Joshua S. Weitz, Ph.D., holds a Career Award at the Scientific Interface from the Burroughs Wellcome Fund. The authors would like to thank Simon Levin, Steve Pacala, and the members of the Theoretical Ecology Lab at Princeton University, where this work was initiated, for many inspiring discussions. The authors acknowledge A. Handel, A. Rabinovitch, F. Rohwer, P. Salamon, and two anonymous reviewers for helpful suggestions on the manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30309, USA

    Joshua S. Weitz

  2. Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ, 08544, USA

    Jonathan Dushoff

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  1. Joshua S. Weitz
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  2. Jonathan Dushoff
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Correspondence to Joshua S. Weitz.

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Weitz, J.S., Dushoff, J. Alternative stable states in host–phage dynamics. Theor Ecol 1, 13–19 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12080-007-0001-1

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