Negative senescence in sea urchins

Exp Gerontol. 2019 Jul 15:122:92-98. doi: 10.1016/j.exger.2019.04.018. Epub 2019 May 4.

Abstract

Negative senescence, a decrease in size-specific mortality of large individuals, is shown by sea urchins. Sea urchins have indeterminate growth and size-specific gamete production increases throughout life. These characteristics are present in short-lived species, Lytechinus pictus and L. variegatus as well as ones that are long-lived: Mesocentrotus franciscanus, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, Echinometra mathaei, and Stomopneustes variolaris. Both short and long-lived species have cellular mechanisms that counter senescence. Many groups of organisms have species that are short-lived as well species with individuals that may attain ages of many hundreds of years. Generally it is assumed that short-lived species show senescence but results for sea urchins indicate that lack senescence may be present even when mortality is high.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Body Size
  • Longevity / physiology*
  • Sea Urchins / physiology*
  • Species Specificity