Science is trying to find out why some species live so long

After intense lobbying from activists, the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) recently banned the catching of Greenland sharks in international waters. Usually measurements of this kind are associated only with environmental factors, but this time it was a little different. The desire to preserve the species is due to a unique characteristic: its remarkable longevity. Recent studies have shown that it is very rare Somniosus microcephaly – In free translation, its scientific name means “small-headed sleeper” – it can live up to 400 years. Yes, four centuries. It is, in fact, an extraordinary creature, which grows by only one centimeter every twelve months and reaches sexual maturity at the age of 150 years. As far as we know, only sharks and some species of mollusks resist the passage of time, but the shark is an even greater curiosity in science because perhaps it can offer lessons for humans themselves. If vertebrates can go far, why not dream of at least a little longer journeys?

The age of many species of shark is determined by counting the growth rings of their vertebrae, much like surveying tree circles is done. However, Greenland sharks do not have such rings. In this case, longevity is measured using radiocarbon dating, a well-established method of analyzing fossils. This is how researchers at the University of Copenhagen, Denmark, were able to prove, for the first time in 2016, that this particular species is very ancient – and therefore very valuable to science. Since then, many studies have proven the Danes’ theory and interest in the shark has grown. Now, researchers want to understand why they live so long, and from there, develop hypotheses that could help better understand the aging process in humans.

A study recently published in the American Journal of Medicine science Research the reasons why turtles, older land animals, and other animals delay aging. To the researchers’ surprise, it is possible that the key to longevity is related to hard hooves. “It could be that the altered morphology aided the evolution of their life histories, including the aging of the slim,” said Anne Bronikowski, study co-author and professor of biology at Michigan State University. According to the scientist, body armor greatly increases the defensive capability of the species that possesses it. With that said, the animal would be free to adopt a more moderate life cycle, without rushing to reach sexual maturity. The reproductive cycle is another determining factor: the earlier the animal, the faster the animal ages. For some reason that remains obscure to scientists, it appears that organisms need to decide how to invest their energies, whether in early reproduction or longer lifespans. In this respect, humans and primates are generally halfway there.

According to official records, the world’s oldest tortoise completed 190 years of age in December. A popular resident of Santa Helena Island, she goes by the name of Jonathan and lives a spoiled life – expected to be over 200 years old, possibly more. According to the Calcutta Zoo, in India, one of its tortoises lived to be 255 years old, but there is no documentation to prove whether it was that long. Also recently, the Berlin Zoo celebrated the 65th birthday of the female Fatu Gorilla, the oldest in captivity in the world. The caregivers are amazed at Fatu’s health and think she can live longer. With advances in medicine – benefiting even non-humans – and detection technologies for life, new records are bound to be broken in the years to come. Understanding why some animals live so long, after all, is a pathway that will help us unlock the mysteries of our existence.

Posted in VEJA on Jan 4, 2023, Available here. Issue 2822