A delay model for viral infection in toxin producing phytoplankton and zooplankton system

An eco-epidemiological delay model is proposed and analysed for virally infected, toxin producing phytoplankton (TPP) and zooplankton system. It is shown that time delay can destabilize the otherwise stable non-zero equilibrium state. The coexistence of all species is possible through periodic solutions due to Hopf bifurcation. In the absence of infection the delay model may have a complex dynamical behavior which can be controlled by infection. Numerical simulation suggests that the proposed model displays a wide range of dynamical behaviors. Different parameters are identified that are responsible for chaos.