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Senescence rates are determined by ranking on the fast-slow life-history continuum

Jones, O.R.; Gaillard, J.M.; Tuljapurkar, S.; Alho, J.S.; Armitage, K.B.; Becker, P.H.; Bize, P.; Brommer, J.; Charmantier, A.; Charpentier, M.; Clutton-Brock, T.; Dobson, F.S.; Festa-Bianchet, M.; Gustafsson, L.; Jensen, H.; Jones, C.G.; Lillandt, B.G.; McCleery, R.; Merilä, J.; Neuhaus, P.; Nicoll, M.A.C.; Norris, K.; Oli, M.K.; Pemberton, J.; Pietiäinen, H.; Ringsby, T.H.; Roulin, A.; Saether, B.E.; Setchell, J.M.; Sheldon, B.C.; Thompson, P.M.; Weimerskirch, H.; Wickings, E.J.; Coulson, T.

Authors

O.R. Jones

J.M. Gaillard

S. Tuljapurkar

J.S. Alho

K.B. Armitage

P.H. Becker

P. Bize

J. Brommer

A. Charmantier

M. Charpentier

T. Clutton-Brock

F.S. Dobson

M. Festa-Bianchet

L. Gustafsson

H. Jensen

C.G. Jones

B.G. Lillandt

R. McCleery

J. Merilä

P. Neuhaus

M.A.C. Nicoll

K. Norris

M.K. Oli

J. Pemberton

H. Pietiäinen

T.H. Ringsby

A. Roulin

B.E. Saether

B.C. Sheldon

P.M. Thompson

H. Weimerskirch

E.J. Wickings

T. Coulson



Abstract

Comparative analyses of survival senescence by using life tables have identified generalizations including the observation that mammals senesce faster than similar-sized birds. These generalizations have been challenged because of limitations of life-table approaches and the growing appreciation that senescence is more than an increasing probability of death. Without using life tables, we examine senescence rates in annual individual fitness using 20 individual-based data sets of terrestrial vertebrates with contrasting life histories and body size. We find that senescence is widespread in the wild and equally likely to occur in survival and reproduction. Additionally, mammals senesce faster than birds because they have a faster life history for a given body size. By allowing us to disentangle the effects of two major fitness components our methods allow an assessment of the robustness of the prevalent life-table approach. Focusing on one aspect of life history - survival or recruitment - can provide reliable information on overall senescence.

Citation

Jones, O., Gaillard, J., Tuljapurkar, S., Alho, J., Armitage, K., Becker, P., …Coulson, T. (2008). Senescence rates are determined by ranking on the fast-slow life-history continuum. Ecology Letters, 11(7), 664-673. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1461-0248.2008.01187.x

Journal Article Type Article
Publication Date Jul 1, 2008
Deposit Date Oct 2, 2009
Journal Ecology Letters
Print ISSN 1461-023X
Electronic ISSN 1461-0248
Publisher Wiley
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 11
Issue 7
Pages 664-673
DOI https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1461-0248.2008.01187.x
Keywords Aging, Comparative analysis, Demography, Generation time, Metabolic rate, Senescence.


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