A difference equation model for the dynamics of a semelparous size-structured species consisting of juvenile and adult individuals
is derived and studied. The adult population consists of two size classes, a smaller class and a larger more fertile class.
Negative feedback occurs through slowed juvenile growth due to increased total population levels during the developmental
period and consequently a smaller adult size at maturation. Intra-specific competition coefficients are size dependent and
measure the strength of intra-specific competition between juveniles and adults. It is shown that equilibrium states in which
adults and juveniles occur together at all times are in general destabilized by significantly increased juvenile
vs adults competition with the result that stable periodic cycles appear, in which the generations alternate in time and hence
avoid competition. This result supports the tenet that intra-specific competition between juveniles and adults is destabilizing.
Exceptions to this destabilization principle are found, however, in which populations exhibiting non-equilibrium, aperiodic
dynamics can be equilibrated by increase competition between juveniles and adults. This occurs, for example, when adult fertility
and competition coefficients are significantly size class dependent.
The author gratefully acknowledges the support of the Applied Mathematics Division and the Population Biology/Ecology Division
of the National Science Foundation under NSF grant No. DMS-8902508.
Research supported by the Department of Energy under contracts W-7405-ENG-36 and KC-07-01-01.