Autonomic tuning of a two predator, one prey system via commensalism (Q1057800)

A single equilibrium point consisting of two predators has been said to be infinitely improbable [\textit{R. MacArthur} and \textit{R. Levins}, Competition, habitat selection, and character displacement in a patchy environment. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 51, 1207-1210 (1964)]. It is shown here however that a simple modification of one parameter to incorporate commensal foraging, can facilitate autonomic tuning of the predation rate of the commensalist and so enable the two predators to coexist. Conditions for the existence, and the stability of the equilibrium point are derived. An application of the model to the relationship between tuna and dolphin is briefly discussed.