On the analysis and interpretation of late-life fecundity in Drosophila melanogaster

Experimental Gerontology
James W Curtsinger

Abstract

Late-life plateaus have been described in both cohort and individual trajectories of fecundity in Drosophila melanogaster females. Here I examine life history data recently analyzed by Le Bourg and Moreau (2014) and show that non-linearity in the cohort trajectory of fecundity is largely explained by heterogeneity in the duration of reproductive life spans. A model specifying linear post-peak decline of fecundity in individual flies provides a better fit to the data than one that combines linear decline with late-life fecundity plateaus. Using repeated measures analysis of variance, I show that age-dependent trends in individual fecundity are mostly linear, while among the most longevous individuals up to 20% of the variation in trends is non-linear. Plateaus in individual trajectories might be explained by evolutionary processes or by random environmental variation. The dominant role of environmental variation is supported by several observations, including the high variability of late-life fecundity, the occurrence of occasional individual plateaus in inbred lines, and the observation of plateaus in only a fraction of the population. Plateau and non-plateau flies identified by Le Bourg and Moreau (2014) have, on average, the ...Continue Reading

References

Jan 1, 1988·Experimental Gerontology·E Le BourgC V Lints
May 1, 1982·Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics·A C Economos
Jun 11, 1993·Science·J W Vaupel, J R Carey
May 23, 1998·Science·J W VaupelJ W Curtsinger
Dec 23, 1998·Mechanisms of Ageing and Development·A A KhazaeliJ W Curtsinger
Jan 25, 2003·Experimental Gerontology·Casandra L RauserMichael R Rose
Apr 3, 2003·Experimental Gerontology·Laurence D MuellerMichael R Rose
Aug 9, 2005·Ageing Research Reviews·Casandra L RauserMichael R Rose
Aug 30, 2005·The Journals of Gerontology. Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences·Vassili N NovoseltsevAnatoli I Yashin
Oct 18, 2005·Physiological and Biochemical Zoology : PBZ·Michael R RoseLaurence D Mueller
Feb 17, 2006·Experimental Gerontology·Deqing WuThomas E Johnson
Oct 10, 2006·Biogerontology·Laurence D MuellerMichael R Rose
Oct 6, 2009·Experimental Gerontology·Laurence D MuellerCasandra L Rauser
Oct 31, 2013·The Journals of Gerontology. Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences·Felix ZajitschekAlexei A Maklakov

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

May 12, 2016·Evolution; International Journal of Organic Evolution·James W Curtsinger
Dec 7, 2018·The Journals of Gerontology. Series A, Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences·James W Curtsinger

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.