How evolving heterogeneity distributions of resource allocation strategies shape mortality patterns.

ABSTRACT: It is well established that individuals age differently. Yet the nature of these inter-individual differences is still largely unknown. For humans, two main hypotheses have been recently formulated: individuals may experience differences in aging rate or aging timing. This issue is central because it directly influences predictions for human lifespan and provides strong insights into the biological determinants of aging. In this article, we propose a model which lets population heterogeneity emerge from an evolutionary algorithm. We find that whether individuals differ in (i) aging rate or (ii) timing leads to different emerging population heterogeneity. Yet, in both cases, the same mortality patterns are observed at the population level. These patterns qualitatively reproduce those of yea

SUBMITTER: Le Cunff Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3547821 | biostudies-literature | 2013

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature