| A discrete-deterministic epidemic model will be constructed so future population trends for a structured host population may be analyzed and predicted. The host population will consist of three developmental stages: larvae, juveniles, and adults. Each developmental stage is further divided into two classes, susceptible and infected. Infection is transmitted by contact with an infected individual or through contact with fungus in the environment. Once infected with the disease, there is no recovery. Infection is also transmitted vertically from the adult stage to the larva stage. The model will also enable mobility between different playas with the restriction that only adults are capable of migration from playa to land area or vice versa. The stability of the extinction equilibrium will be determined analytically, as well as the stability of the various positive equilibria. Numerical simulations of the submodels will further illustrate such stability. |
