Density dependence, lifespan and the evolutionary dynamics of longevity

Longevity is a life-history trait that is shaped by natural selection. Evolution will shape mortality trajectories and lifespans, but until now the evolutionary analysis of longevity is based principally on a density-independent (Euler-Lotka) framework. The effects of density dependence on the evolu...

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Main Authors: Bonsall, M, Mangel, M
Format: Journal article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2009
Subjects:
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author Bonsall, M
Mangel, M
author_facet Bonsall, M
Mangel, M
author_sort Bonsall, M
collection OXFORD
description Longevity is a life-history trait that is shaped by natural selection. Evolution will shape mortality trajectories and lifespans, but until now the evolutionary analysis of longevity is based principally on a density-independent (Euler-Lotka) framework. The effects of density dependence on the evolution of lifespan and mortality remain largely unexplored. We investigate the influence of different population demographies on the evolution of longevity, and show how these can be linked to adaptive radiations. We present a range of models to explore the intraspecific and interspecific density effects on longevity and, consequently, diversification. We show how the magnitude, type, and timing of mutation can also affect fitness, invasion and diversification. We argue that fitness of alternative strategies under a range of different demographic structures leads to a flat, as opposed to rugged, landscapes and that these flat fitness surfaces are important in the evolution of lifespan and senescence.
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spelling oxford-uuid:4312e096-d386-4f1e-b0d6-9a7148e01f822022-03-26T14:53:16ZDensity dependence, lifespan and the evolutionary dynamics of longevity Journal articlehttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_dcae04bcuuid:4312e096-d386-4f1e-b0d6-9a7148e01f82MathematicsEcology (zoology)Zoological sciencesEnglishOxford University Research Archive - ValetElsevier2009Bonsall, MMangel, MLongevity is a life-history trait that is shaped by natural selection. Evolution will shape mortality trajectories and lifespans, but until now the evolutionary analysis of longevity is based principally on a density-independent (Euler-Lotka) framework. The effects of density dependence on the evolution of lifespan and mortality remain largely unexplored. We investigate the influence of different population demographies on the evolution of longevity, and show how these can be linked to adaptive radiations. We present a range of models to explore the intraspecific and interspecific density effects on longevity and, consequently, diversification. We show how the magnitude, type, and timing of mutation can also affect fitness, invasion and diversification. We argue that fitness of alternative strategies under a range of different demographic structures leads to a flat, as opposed to rugged, landscapes and that these flat fitness surfaces are important in the evolution of lifespan and senescence.
spellingShingle Mathematics
Ecology (zoology)
Zoological sciences
Bonsall, M
Mangel, M
Density dependence, lifespan and the evolutionary dynamics of longevity
title Density dependence, lifespan and the evolutionary dynamics of longevity
title_full Density dependence, lifespan and the evolutionary dynamics of longevity
title_fullStr Density dependence, lifespan and the evolutionary dynamics of longevity
title_full_unstemmed Density dependence, lifespan and the evolutionary dynamics of longevity
title_short Density dependence, lifespan and the evolutionary dynamics of longevity
title_sort density dependence lifespan and the evolutionary dynamics of longevity
topic Mathematics
Ecology (zoology)
Zoological sciences
work_keys_str_mv AT bonsallm densitydependencelifespanandtheevolutionarydynamicsoflongevity
AT mangelm densitydependencelifespanandtheevolutionarydynamicsoflongevity