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Wild animals age, too: Researchers study senescence in blue-footed booby shows

Date:
May 10, 2011
Source:
Plataforma SINC
Summary:
Many might assume that wild animals generally die before they get old. Now, a Spanish-Mexican research team has demonstrated aging in a population of wild birds (Sula nebouxii) in terms of their ability to live and reproduce.
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Many might assume that wild animals generally die before they get old. Now, a Spanish-Mexican research team has for the first time demonstrated aging in a population of wild birds (Sula nebouxii) in terms of their ability to live and reproduce.

"It was always thought that senescence was something particular to humans and domestic animals, because we have an extended life expectancy," says Alberto Velando, lead author of the study and a researcher at the Ecology and Animal Biology Department of the University of Vigo.

However, the idea that wild animals are killed off by predators or parasites before showing signs of aging has changed "totally" in recent years: "Senescence exists in wild animals' reproduction and living capacity," confirms Velando.

The study, which has been published in the Journal of Evolutionary Biology, used a database stretching back over 30 years to study a population of the blue-footed booby (Sula nebouxii), long-lived birds that inhabit the Pacific coasts of Mexico, the Galapagos Islands and Peru, to determine their aging patterns.

The results show for the first time that their germline (the DNA sequence passed from one generation to the next) is not damage-free. "The DNA of the sperm of older individuals is damaged. This means their offspring have a greater likelihood of suffering from congenital illnesses," the biologist explains.

Foot colour is key to deterioration

In humans, it has already been shown recently that the children of men aged over 50 or 60 are more likely to suffer from genetic illnesses. "It was thought that this was of no importance in nature, and that it was a defect of our civilisation, since we live longer than a natural lifespan. However, it turns out that this happens in nature too," says Velando.

The colour of these birds' feet changes with age, mirroring the oxidative damage suffered by their sperm. According to the expert, females choose males on the basis of colour, and are less attracted to older males with more faded feet, which prevents their offspring from being affected by genetic mutations.

The study confirms that, in general, middle-aged males have a less deteriorated germline and more colourful feet. Velando says this study helps to shed light on selection patterns, and the evolutionary and growth patterns of populations.

"The study provides us with a new way of looking at what lies behind sexual signals, pointing to the importance of sexual selection in eliminating genetic mutations," the scientist concludes.


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Journal Reference:

  1. A. Velando, J. C. Noguera, H. Drummond, R. Torres. Senescent males carry premutagenic lesions in sperm. Journal of Evolutionary Biology, 2011; 24 (3): 693 DOI: 10.1111/j.1420-9101.2010.02201.x

Cite This Page:

Plataforma SINC. "Wild animals age, too: Researchers study senescence in blue-footed booby shows." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 10 May 2011. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110510074631.htm>.
Plataforma SINC. (2011, May 10). Wild animals age, too: Researchers study senescence in blue-footed booby shows. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 29, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110510074631.htm
Plataforma SINC. "Wild animals age, too: Researchers study senescence in blue-footed booby shows." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/05/110510074631.htm (accessed March 29, 2024).

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