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Measurement of Survival Time in Brachionus Rotifers: Synchronization of Maternal Conditions

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Published on: July 22, 2016

Adaptive prolonged postreproductive life span in killer whales.

Emma A Foster¹, Daniel W Franks, Sonia Mazzi

¹Centre for Research in Animal Behaviour, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter EX4 4QG, UK.

Science (New York, N.Y.)

|September 18, 2012

Summary

Postreproductive female killer whales enhance offspring survival, particularly for older males. This extended lifespan in orcas may be an evolutionary adaptation benefiting inclusive fitness.

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Area of Science:

Evolutionary biology
Animal behavior
Gerontology

Background:

Prolonged postreproductive lifespan is evolutionarily challenging to explain.
It may be a physiological byproduct or provide benefits to related individuals (inclusive fitness).
Adaptive significance of postreproductive life spans is poorly understood in nonhuman animals.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the adaptive significance of postreproductive life spans in killer whales (Orcinus orca).
To determine if postreproductive females provide benefits to their offspring, thereby increasing inclusive fitness.

Main Methods:

Utilized multigenerational demographic data from two distinct killer whale populations.
Analyzed the relationship between maternal postreproductive lifespan and offspring survival rates.
Focused on the impact on older male offspring survival.

Main Results:

Postreproductive female killer whales significantly increase the survival rates of their offspring.
This beneficial effect is particularly pronounced for older male offspring.
Killer whales exhibit the longest postreproductive lifespans among nonhuman animals.

Conclusions:

The extended postreproductive lifespan in female killer whales is likely an adaptive trait.
It enhances inclusive fitness by improving offspring survival.
This provides a potential evolutionary explanation for their exceptionally long postreproductive lives.