High social status males experience accelerated epigenetic aging in wild baboons.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
Aging, for virtually all life, is inescapable. However, within populations, biological aging rates vary. Understanding sources of variation in this process is central to understanding the biodemography of natural populations. We constructed a DNA methylation-based age predictor for an intensively studied wild baboon population in Kenya. Consistent with findings in humans, the resulting 'epigenetic clock' closely tracks chronological age, but individuals are predicted to be somewhat older or younger than their known ages. Surprisingly, these deviations are not explained by the strongest predictors of lifespan in this population, early adversity and social integration. Instead, they are best predicted by male dominance rank: high-ranking males are predicted to be older than their true ages, and epigenetic age tracks changes in rank over time. Our results argue that achieving high rank for male baboons - the best predictor of reproductive success - imposes costs consistent with a 'live fast, die young' life-history strategy.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Anderson, JA; Johnston, RA; Lea, AJ; Campos, FA; Voyles, TN; Akinyi, MY; Alberts, SC; Archie, EA; Tung, J
Published Date
- April 6, 2021
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 10 /
Start / End Page
- e66128 -
PubMed ID
- 33821798
Pubmed Central ID
- PMC8087445
Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)
- 2050-084X
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 2050-084X
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.7554/elife.66128
Language
- eng