Role of environmental temperature in aging and longevity: insights from neurolipofuscin

The available evidence for thermal modulation of neurolipofuscin deposition in poikilotherms is reviewed here and additional data are contributed. Mainly decapod crustacean models are employed and neurolipofuscin is treated as an index of physiological aging. In all cases, neurolipofuscin accumulation rate is positively correlated with environmental temperature but there appears to be lowered sensitivity in the thermal mid-range, an 'optimum' temperature for neurolipofuscin accumulation and possibly age-associated variation. The geographical position of the population within the species' thermal range may determine sensitivity of the response. There is seasonal oscillation of neurolipofuscin accumulation rate, providing preliminary evidence for neurolipofuscin turnover with net loss in winter. Spatial and temporal thermal variations of similar magnitude appear to have comparable effects on neurolipofuscin accumulation rate. Such effects may be extreme, suggesting important implications for physiological aging even in homeotherms. Inter-specific comparisons indicate that species-specific neurolipofuscin accumulation rates are positively correlated with habitat temperature and inversely correlated with maximum lifespan and age at maturity. These findings help explain some well-known bioclimatic trends in maturation- and maximum body size, such as Bergmann's rule. They also highlight the fact that global warming is likely to cause significant changes in life history parameters, population dynamics and responses to exploitation for many species.