A GRAPHICAL-METHOD FOR ANALYZING THE DYNAMICS OF 3-SPECIES SYSTEMS

We report a series of experiments with three competing species and a n ovel graphical analysis that explores the dynamics of this simple mult i-species system. The three competing species (Drosophila hydei, D. im migrans and D. virilis) were maintained in five very large cages, on a natural fruit resource. The analytic method involved constructing a ' 'dynamic surface'', by interpolation, from the population trajectories . Within the dynamic surface constructed from the five experiments a s mall ''equilibrium area'' (an area of point vectors) could be identifi ed. The implications of both the method and the results are discussed.