Predation has small, short-term, and in certain conditions random effects on the evolution of aging.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The pace of aging varies considerably in nature. The best-known explanation of the evolution of specific rates of aging is the Williams' hypothesis suggesting that the aging rate should correlate with the level of extrinsic mortality. However, the current evidence is inconclusive with various examples where the Williams' hypothesis seems to be correct and where it doesn't. Here we explore the relationship between extrinsic mortality and aging rate by developing a simulation model of the evolution of aging rate in prey subject to predation.

Results

Our results suggest that more intense predation leads to the evolution of faster pace of aging in prey. However, this effect slowly vanishes when the predator diet breadth is allowed to evolve, too. Furthermore, in our m

SUBMITTER: Lenart P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8130161 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature