Sex-specific telomere length and dynamics in relation to age and reproductive success in Cory's shearwaters.

ABSTRACT: Individuals in free-living animal populations generally differ substantially in reproductive success, lifespan and other fitness-related traits, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this variation are poorly understood. Telomere length and dynamics are candidate traits explaining this variation, as long telomeres predict a higher survival probability and telomere loss has been shown to reflect experienced "life stress." However, telomere dynamics among very long-lived species are unresolved. Additionally, it is generally not well understood how telomeres relate to reproductive success or sex. We measured telomere length and dynamics in erythrocytes to assess their relationship to age, sex and reproduction in Cory's shearwaters (Calonectris borealis), a long-lived seabird, in the context

SUBMITTER: Bauch C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7216837 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature