Recent advances in the evolution of aging and lifespan

Evolutionary trade-offs may explain the significant variation in lifespan, researchers say in new review.

Aging is a common process in living beings, but the duration of life varies significantly among different species and even within vertebrates. The aging process involves gradual DNA damage, disruption of cellular components, changes in protein function, metabolic disturbances and oxidative stress.

My take on this: Differences in lifespan result from trade-offs and evolutionary paths in organisms' genetic makeup. Age-specific selection influences the distribution of genetic variations in a population, affecting the risk of mortality and susceptibility to diseases in specific environments. Additionally, mutational processes in both somatic and germline cells are influenced by an organism's life history and age.

A recent review in Trends in Genetics explores advancements in understanding the evolution of aging at population, organismal and cellular levels.

Insights from extreme agers of the animal kingdom

Examining extreme agers in the animal kingdom reveals significant diversity among organisms. Analyzing this diversity helps unravel the evolution of traits associated with extreme aging, shedding light on the evolutionary trade-offs that led to these characteristics and the conditions fostering their development.

The history of longevity

The history of longevity aligns with the evolutionary theory of aging, suggesting that organisms with low external mortality tend to have longer lifespans, while those with high external mortality experience shorter lifespans. Life-history traits, including size, indicate a correlation between larger animals and longer lifespans, a concept known as allometric scaling. For instance, smaller species with shorter maturation and generation times, such as mice compared to elephants, tend to be short-lived.

Although mortality typically increases exponentially with age, recent studies on amphibians, tortoises and non-avian reptiles have identified minimal or even negative rates of aging. Species exhibiting negligible senescence, like naked mole rats and rockfish, often display indeterminate fertility and growth, contributing to increased longevity. Protective phenotypes, thermoregulation, sex, temperature and metabolic rate are additional factors influencing extreme lifespans in certain species.

Dive deeper into the latest advances in understanding aging's evolutionary processes right HERE.

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