Discrete autowaves in systems of delay differential–difference equations in ecology

We propose a theory of relaxation oscillations for a nonlinear scalar delay differential-difference equation that represents a modification of the well-known Hutchinson equation in ecology. In particular, we establish that a one-dimensional chain of diffusively coupled equations of this type exhibits the well-known buffer phenomenon. Namely, under an increase in the number of links in the chain and a consistent decrease in the coupling constant, the number of coexisting stable periodic motions indefinitely increases.