Extreme lifespan of the human fish ( Proteus anguinus ): a challenge for ageing mechanisms

Abstract

These authors contributed equally to this work.Theories of extreme lifespan evolution in vertebrates commonly implicate large size and predator-free environments together with physiological characteristics like low metabolism and high protection against oxidative damages. Here, we show that the 'human fish' (olm, Proteus anguinus), a small cave salamander (weighing 15 -20 g), has evolved an extreme lifehistory strategy with a predicted maximum lifespan of over 100 years, an adult average lifespan of 68.5 years, an age at sexual maturity of 15.6 years and lays, on average, 35 eggs every 12.5 years. Surprisingly, neither its basal metabolism nor antioxidant activities explain why this animal sits as an outlier in the amphibian size/longevity relationship. This species thus raises questions regarding ageing processes and constitutes a promising model for discovering mechanisms preventing senescence in vertebrates.

Telomere length reflects phenotypic quality and costs of reproduction in a long-lived seabird

“…Alternatively however, individuals that best tolerate telomere-shortening processes may perform best, because reproductive effort increases oxidative stress [55,56] and the optimal effort level may, therefore, be lower for individuals that are more susceptible to the consequences of oxidative damage. Such variation has previously been observed between species: naked mole rats for example experience high levels of oxidative stress but nevertheless have a long lifespan [57]. We speculate that such variation may also occur between individuals within species, and may explain our finding that short telomeres are associated with higher reproductive success.…”

The African turquoise killifish: A research organism to study vertebrate aging and diapause

“…Could it be the fast sexual maturation rate and reproduction cycles? And would the same tradeoff be present, albeit “in reverse,” for vertebrates to evolve longer lifespan, such as olm (human fish, Proteus angeius ) which has an exceptionally long lifespan (predicted maximum lifespan of over 100 years) and also long reproduction cycles (age of sexual maturation at ~16 year, with ~35 eggs every 12.5 years; Voituron, de Fraipont, Issartel, Guillaume & Clobert, 2011)?…”

In situUnderwater Tagging of Aquatic Organisms: A Test Using the Cave-Dwelling Olm,Proteus anguinus

“…Bouquerel & Valet 2003). Hence, even though we know a lot about its functional anatomy and histology (Schlegel et al 2006) and now even from its life history (Voituron et al 2011), our knowledge about even the most basic ecology of the species (e.g., population number, dispersion ability, prey, activity) in the wild is lacking. Furthermore, the species is listed in Appendix II of the Bern Convention and in Annexes II* and IV of the EU Habitats Directive and indentified by IUCN as vulnerable.…”

“…It is the only member of the family Proteidae and the only obligate cave-dwelling vertebrate in Europe, showing remarkable adaptations to its unique environment. The species is blind, totally depigmented (apart from P. a. parkelj Sket & Arntzen 1994), neotenic, shows high tolerance to anoxia and has long been known for its extreme life-history traits such as its unmatched longevity among anurans (probably over 100 years; only the Japanese giant salamander, Andrias japonica, being comparable) and its resistance to starvation (Hervant et al 2001, Issartel et al 2009, Speakman & Selman 2011, Voituron et al 2011. Despite the long lasting scientific interest, biological knowledge of the species has been gathered mainly from observations and experiments made with captive populations in laboratories.…”