Is lifespan linked with developmental viability in Drosophila melanogaster?

Abstract

Long-lived lines of flies have been selected by reproduction at older ages and correlated responses observed, and particularly whether development of flies was modified. Using these selected lines or flies subjected to larval crowding of food restriction during development, two studies have computed, among lines, a correlation between viability of eggs and larvae and mean lifespan of adults: mean lifespan was longer when the viability was lower, showing a selection of fittest flies. The present study correlates viability and mean lifespan observed during three decades in a single wild-type strain. Contrary to the previous studies, a slight but not significant positive correlation is observed, showing that lifespan can hardly increase when viability increases. Therefore, it is not clear whether development and lifespan are linked, as hypothesised by some authors.

Metabolomics analysis of dietary restriction results in a longer lifespan due to alters of amino acid levels in larval hemolymph of Bombyx mori

“…Currently, only a few invertebrates have been used extensively for lifespan research, namely Drosophila and nematodes (e.g. C.elegans ) 14 – 16 . Therefore, new experimental animals suitable for aging lifespan research, especially invertebrate models, need to be established.…”