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Senescence rates are determined by ranking on the fast–slow life‐history continuum
Author(s) -
Jones Owen R.,
Gaillard JeanMichel,
Tuljapurkar Shripad,
Alho Jussi S.,
Armitage Kenneth B.,
Becker Peter H.,
Bize Pierre,
Brommer Jon,
Charmantier Anne,
Charpentier Marie,
CluttonBrock Tim,
Dobson F. Stephen,
FestaBianchet Marco,
Gustafsson Lars,
Jensen Henrik,
Jones Carl G.,
Lillandt BoGöran,
McCleery Robin,
Merilä Juha,
Neuhaus Peter,
Nicoll Malcolm A. C.,
Norris Ken,
Oli Madan K.,
Pemberton Josephine,
Pietiäinen Hannu,
Ringsby Thor Harald,
Roulin Alexandre,
Saether BerntErik,
Setchell Joanna M.,
Sheldon Ben C.,
Thompson Paul M.,
Weimerskirch Henri,
Jean Wickings E.,
Coulson Tim
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
ecology letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.852
H-Index - 265
eISSN - 1461-0248
pISSN - 1461-023X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1461-0248.2008.01187.x
Subject(s) - senescence , life history , ranking (information retrieval) , ecology , biology , environmental science , demography , computer science , information retrieval , sociology , genetics
Comparative analyses of survival senescence by using life tables have identified generalizations including the observation that mammals senesce faster than similar‐sized birds. These generalizations have been challenged because of limitations of life‐table approaches and the growing appreciation that senescence is more than an increasing probability of death. Without using life tables, we examine senescence rates in annual individual fitness using 20 individual‐based data sets of terrestrial vertebrates with contrasting life histories and body size. We find that senescence is widespread in the wild and equally likely to occur in survival and reproduction. Additionally, mammals senesce faster than birds because they have a faster life history for a given body size. By allowing us to disentangle the effects of two major fitness components our methods allow an assessment of the robustness of the prevalent life‐table approach. Focusing on one aspect of life history – survival or recruitment – can provide reliable information on overall senescence.