Research on Sex-Ratio-Variable Sea Lamprey Populations Based on Logistic and Lotka-Volterra Models

Abstract

The increasing prevalence of invasive species like the sea lamprey poses significant challenges to aquatic ecosystems. This study explores the potential ecological impacts of the sea lamprey’s unique ability to alter its sex ratio. This paper developed mathematical models based on Logistic and Lotka-Volterra equations to simulate the impact of sex ratio changes on population dynamics, genetic diversity, and ecosystem stability. In this model, the carrying capacity of the sea lamprey's environment is linked to its food supply. According to the model developed in this paper, sea lampreys are more likely to develop into males when food is scarce, which is consistent with observed behavior. Additionally, the findings suggest that the sea lamprey's mechanism for adjusting its sex ratio provides it with a significant advantage over other species, both in terms of competition and predation. The findings highlight the dual role of sex ratio variability in enhancing population resilience while potentially reducing genetic diversity, providing insights into managing invasive species and preserving biodiversity.