Different strategies of evolution in a predator–prey system

We propose a lattice model of evolution of a predator–prey system. Both species in order to survive must eat. The prey eats the grass growing in unlimited quantities on most of the cells of the lattice. On the remaining cells the prey find cover against predators, but not food. We compare four active strategies—the prey move in the direction of grassy cells, they move away from the predators, the predators move in the direction of the prey and both species move in the direction of their respective food resources. These strategies are compared with random wandering of both species. We show that the character of the asymptotic stationary state depends on the initial concentrations of predators and prey, density of the shelter for the prey and on the strategy adopted. The predators are more vulnerable to the proper choice of the strategy. The strategies which lead in most cases to the extinction of predators and prey are those in which the predators are searching the prey.