Aging in the natural world: comparative data reveal similar mortality patterns across primates.

Published

Journal Article

Human senescence patterns-late onset of mortality increase, slow mortality acceleration, and exceptional longevity-are often described as unique in the animal world. Using an individual-based data set from longitudinal studies of wild populations of seven primate species, we show that contrary to assumptions of human uniqueness, human senescence falls within the primate continuum of aging; the tendency for males to have shorter life spans and higher age-specific mortality than females throughout much of adulthood is a common feature in many, but not all, primates; and the aging profiles of primate species do not reflect phylogenetic position. These findings suggest that mortality patterns in primates are shaped by local selective forces rather than phylogenetic history.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Bronikowski, AM; Altmann, J; Brockman, DK; Cords, M; Fedigan, LM; Pusey, A; Stoinski, T; Morris, WF; Strier, KB; Alberts, SC

Published Date

  • March 2011

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 331 / 6022

Start / End Page

  • 1325 - 1328

PubMed ID

  • 21393544

Pubmed Central ID

  • 21393544

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1095-9203

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

  • 0036-8075

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1126/science.1201571

Language

  • eng