Mathematical modelling of anti-predator behavior in predator-prey systems

Some studies have suggested that prey species stand to benefit most by defending during predator-prey encounters, but species in nature employ anti-predator defenses at various stages of interactions with their predators. The mechanism for maintaining complex food webs has been a central issue in ecology because theory often predicts that complexity (higher the species richness, more the interactions) destabilizes food webs systems. Although it has been studied that prey anti-predator defense may affect the stability of prey-predator dynamics, but such studies are limited and are still under consideration. Here, using mathematical models, it is reported that prey anti-predator defense enhances complexity of food webs in more complex systems and even changes the complexity-stability relationship.