Stability and Hopf bifurcation analysis of an eco-epidemic model with a stage structure

In this paper, an eco-epidemiological model with a stage structure is considered. The asymptotical stability of the five equilibria, the existence of stability switches about positive equilibrium, is investigated. It is found that Hopf bifurcation occurs when the delay tau passes though a critical value. Some explicit formulae determining the stability and the direction of the Hopf bifurcation periodic solutions bifurcating from Hopf bifurcations are obtained by using the normal form theory and center manifold theory. Some numerical simulations for justifying the theoretical analysis are also provided. Finally, biological explanations and main conclusions are given. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.