Traveling wave solutions for a diffusive three-species intraguild predation model

Abstract

The aim of this work is to investigate the existence and non-existence of traveling wave solutions for a diffusive three-species intraguild predation model which means that one predator can eat its potential resource competitors. The method of upper–lower solution is implemented to show the existence of traveling wave solutions. In order to simplify the construction of an admissible pair of upper–lower solution, the scheme of strictly contracting rectangle is applied. Finally, the minimal speed [Formula: see text] of traveling wave solutions of the model is characterized. If the wave speed is greater than [Formula: see text], we show the existence of traveling wave solutions connecting trivial and positive equilibria by combining the upper and lower solutions with the contracting rectangle. On the other hand, if the wave speed is less than [Formula: see text], the non-existence of such solutions is also established. Furthermore, to illustrate our theoretical results, some numerical simulations are performed and biological meanings are interpreted.