DETAILED ANALYSIS OF AN ECO-EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SYSTEM WITH PREY REFUGE, FEAR EFFECT AND COMPETITION AMONG THE PREDATOR SPECIES

This paper explores the dynamics of an eco-epidemic predator–prey model involving one prey and two competitive predator populations, with infection present in the predator population. The model uses a Holling-type II response function and includes a constant and linear proportion of prey refuge for susceptible and infected predators, respectively. It also accounts the effect of fear of predation and competition among predators for food and shelter. The study formulates the model system, identifies the steady-state points, and analyzes both local and global stability to understand the system’s long-term behavior. A formula for the basic reproduction number is constructed, indicating that controlling this number to be less than 1 can lead to disease eradication. Additionally, Hopf bifurcation in relation to key biological parameters is illustrated. Numerical simulations are conducted to validate the model, revealing diverse dynamic behaviors such as chaos and period-doubling with slight parameter variations.