Evolutionary Stability of Ecological Hierarchy
arXiv:cond-mat/0301619 · doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.90.258105
Abstract
A self-similar hierarchical solution that is both dynamically and evolutionarily stable is found to the multi dimensional Lotka-Volterra equation with a single chain of prey-predator relations. This gives a simple and natural explanation to the key features of hierarchical ecosystems, such as its ubiquity, pyramidal population distribution, and higher aggressiveness among higher trophic levels. pacs{87.23.Kg, 89.75.Da, 05.45.-a} keywords{Lotka-Volterra equation, Trophic pyramid, Self-similarity}
4 Pages RevTeX4, 1 Fig, 1 Table, shortened by publishers request