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A scenario for an evolutionary selection of ageing
Tristan Roget1, Claire Macmurray2, Pierre Jolivet3
1Institut Montpelliérain Alexander Grothendieck (IMAG), Université de Montpellier, Montpellier, France.
Elife
|November 1, 2024
Summary
Ageing, often seen as detrimental, may actually be an adaptive evolutionary trait. This study suggests ageing enhances population evolvability and success by linking fertility and senescence.
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary biology
- Gerontology
- Mathematical modeling
Background:
- Ageing is typically viewed as a non-adaptive consequence of evolution, reducing individual fitness after development.
- The conserved Smurf phenotype provides a basis for investigating the evolutionary role of ageing.
- Understanding the evolutionary drivers of ageing is crucial for comprehending life-history strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and simulate a mathematical model of life-history traits to explore the adaptive potential of ageing.
- To investigate the relationship between ageing, fertility, and population success.
- To determine if ageing can be considered an adaptive force in evolution.
Main Methods:
- Development of a simple mathematical life-history model incorporating reproduction and homeostasis.
- Simulation of the model to observe population dynamics and evolvability.
- Formal mathematical demonstration of the convergence between fertility cessation and senescence onset.
Main Results:
- Model simulations showed fertility cessation converging with the onset of senescence.
- Ageing populations demonstrated greater success compared to non-ageing populations.
- Populations exhibiting ageing displayed enhanced evolvability, indicated by increased genetic variability.
Conclusions:
- Mechanisms linking the timing of fertility and ageing appear to be evolutionarily selected.
- Ageing populations are more successful due to their enhanced evolvability.
- This research posits that ageing is an adaptive force in evolution, not merely a byproduct.
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