The linear stability and basic reproduction numbers for autonomous FDEs

Abstract

In this paper, we first prove the stability equivalence between a linear autonomous and cooperative functional differential equation (FDE) and its associated autonomous and cooperative system without time delay. Then we present the theory of basic reproduction number $\mathcal{R}_0$ for general autonomous FDEs. As an illustrative example, we also establish the threshold dynamics for a time-delayed population model of black-legged ticks in terms of $\mathcal{R}_0$.