School of Mathematical Sciences, Heilongjiang University, Harbin, Heilongjiang, 150080, P.R. China.
Department of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2G1, Canada.
Bull Math Biol. 2024 Oct 13;86(11):136. doi: 10.1007/s11538-024-01365-2.
The two main components of the planktonic ecosystem are phytoplankton and zooplankton. Fungal parasites can infect zooplankton and spread between them. In this paper, we construct a dynamic model to describe the spread of fungal parasites among zooplankton. Basic reproduction number for fungal parasite transmission among zooplankton are rigorously derived. The dynamics of this system are analyzed including dissipativity and equilibria. We further explore the effects of ecological factors on population dynamics and the relationship between fungal parasite transmission and phytoplankton blooms. Interestingly, our theoretical and numerical results indicate that a low-light or oligotrophic aquatic environment is helpful in mitigating the transmission of fungal parasites. We also show that fungal parasites on zooplankton can increase phytoplankton biomass and induce blooms.
浮游生物生态系统的两个主要组成部分是浮游植物和浮游动物。真菌寄生虫可以感染浮游动物并在它们之间传播。在本文中，我们构建了一个动态模型来描述真菌寄生虫在浮游动物中的传播。严格推导出了真菌寄生虫在浮游动物之间传播的基本繁殖数。分析了该系统的动力学，包括耗散和平衡点。我们进一步探讨了生态因素对种群动态的影响以及真菌寄生虫传播与浮游植物大量繁殖之间的关系。有趣的是，我们的理论和数值结果表明，低光照或贫营养的水生环境有助于减轻真菌寄生虫的传播。我们还表明，浮游动物上的真菌寄生虫可以增加浮游植物生物量并引发大量繁殖。
