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Tyson, R.; Haines, S.; Hodges, K.E.
Modelling the Canada lynx and snowshoe hare population cycle: the role of specialist predators
2010 Theoretical Ecology (3): 97-111
Mathematical models of the snowshoe hare (_Lepus americanus_) and Canada lynx (_Lynx canadensis_) population cycles in the boreal forest have largely focused on the interaction between a single specialist predator and its prey. Here, we consider the role that other hare predators play in shaping the cycles, using a predator-prey model for up to three separate specialist predators. We consider the Canada lynx, coyote (_Canis latrans_) and great horned owl (_Bubo virginianus_). Our model improves on past modelling efforts in two ways: (1) our model solutions more closely represent the boreal hare and predator cycles with respect to the cycle period, maximum and minimum hare densities and maximum and minimum predator densities for each predator, and (2) our model sheds light on the role each specialist plays in regulation of the hare cycle, in particular, the dynamics of the raptor appear to be crucial for characterising the low hare densities correctly.
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