Patterns of philopatry and longevity contribute to the evolution of post-reproductive lifespan in mammals.

ABSTRACT: While menopause has long been known as a characteristic trait of human reproduction, evidence for post-reproductive lifespan (PRLS) has recently been found in other mammals. Adaptive and non-adaptive hypotheses have been proposed to explain the evolution of PRLS, but formal tests of these are rare. We use a phylogenetic approach to evaluate hypotheses for the evolution of PRLS among mammals. In contrast to theoretical models predicting that PRLS may be promoted by male philopatry (which increases relatedness between a female and her group in old age), we find little evidence that male philopatry led to the evolution of a post-reproductive period. However, the proportion of life spent post-reproductive was related to lifespan and patterns of philopatry, suggesting that the duration of PRLS

SUBMITTER: Nichols HJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4780556 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature