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Trans-generational effects on ageing in a wild bird population
S Bouwhuis1, A Charmantier, S Verhulst
1Behavioural Biology Group, University of Groningen, Haren, The Netherlands. a.h.j.bouwhuis@rug.nl
Journal of Evolutionary Biology
|January 16, 2010
Summary
Maternal age influences offspring aging in great tits. Offspring from older mothers show early life advantages but faster reproductive aging, yet lifetime fitness remains similar.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Gerontology
- Behavioral ecology
Background:
- Aging is now recognized as a widespread phenomenon in wild populations.
- Understanding the drivers of variation in aging rates within populations is a key research challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of maternal age on offspring life-history trajectories and aging patterns.
- To identify factors contributing to the variation in aging rates in natural populations.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study utilizing 49 years of data from a wild population of great tits (Parus major).
- Analysis of offspring life-history traits and reproductive senescence in relation to maternal age.
Main Results:
- Offspring from older mothers exhibit enhanced early-life performance.
- These offspring experience an earlier onset and accelerated rate of reproductive senescence.
- Despite differing trajectories, lifetime reproductive success (fitness payoff) is not significantly affected by maternal age.
Conclusions:
- Maternal age is a novel factor contributing to variation in aging rates.
- The trans-generational effect of maternal age on offspring aging raises questions about underlying proximate mechanisms.
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