Trade-off between reproduction and mobility prolongs organisms' survival in rock-paper-scissors models

¹ Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam - Science Park 904, 1098 XH Amsterdam, The Netherlands
² School of Science and Technology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte - P.O. Box 1524, 59072-970, Natal, RN, Brazil
³ Edmond and Lily Safra International Institute of Neuroscience, Santos Dumont Institute - Av Santos Dumont 1560, 59280-000, Macaiba, RN, Brazil
⁴ Department of Computer Engineering and Automation, Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte Av. Senador Salgado Filho 300, 59078-970, Natal, Brazil

^(a) E-mail: jmenezes@ect.ufrn.br (corresponding author)

Received: 28 February 2023
Accepted: 10 May 2023

Abstract

We study the spatial rock-paper-scissors model, where resource competitors' cyclic dominance impacts organisms' energy levels. Our model assumes that failed selection interactions can lead to energy loss, reducing the chances of success in the spatial game and hastening decline. To prevent death by energy insufficiency, organisms of one out of the species strategically perform a trade-off between reproduction and mobility. When prioritising exploring more extensive areas, organisms aim to maximise the chances of acquiring resources to regain high energy levels. Through simulation, we examine the effect of survival behaviour on species segregation and spatial patterns. Our outcomes show that the trade-off between offspring generation and accelerated movement effectively protects individuals from death due to lack of energy. Moreover, the risk of being eliminated by an enemy in the cyclic game reduces due to the behavioural strategy. Considering a three-state model, we quantify how the trade-off parameter controls the organisms' energy recovery. Computing the expected survival time, we find that although individuals performing the trade-off strategy may live longer, the organisms of other species are negatively affected by a life expectancy reduction. Our research may elucidate the role of adaptive survival strategies in species persistence and provide valuable insights for ecologists.