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. 1992 Oct 16;258(5081):461-3.
doi: 10.1126/science.1411541.

Demography of genotypes: failure of the limited life-span paradigm in Drosophila melanogaster

J W Curtsinger  1 , H H Fukui, D R Townsend, J W Vaupel
Affiliations

Demography of genotypes: failure of the limited life-span paradigm in Drosophila melanogaster

J W Curtsinger et al. Science. .

Abstract

Experimental systems that are amenable to genetic manipulation can be used to address fundamental questions about genetic and nongenetic determinants of longevity. Analysis of large cohorts of ten genotypes of Drosophila melanogaster raised under conditions that favored extended survival has revealed variation between genotypes in both the slope and location of age-specific mortality curves. More detailed examination of a single genotype showed that the mortality trajectory was best fit by a two-stage Gompertz model, with no age-specific increase in mortality rates beyond 30 days after emergence. These results are contrary to the limited life-span paradigm, which postulates well-defined, genotype-specific limits on life-span and brief periods of intense and rapidly accelerating mortality rates at the oldest age.

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Comment in

  • Mortality: overturning received wisdom.
    Barinaga M. Barinaga M. Science. 1992 Oct 16;258(5081):398-9. doi: 10.1126/science.1411534. Science. 1992. PMID: 1411534 No abstract available.
  • Fruit fly aging and mortality.
    Gavrilov LA, Gavrilova NS. Gavrilov LA, et al. Science. 1993 Jun 11;260(5114):1565; author reply 1567-9. doi: 10.1126/science.8502999. Science. 1993. PMID: 8502999 No abstract available.
  • Fruit fly aging and mortality.
    Olshansky SJ, Carnes BA, Cassel CK. Olshansky SJ, et al. Science. 1993 Jun 11;260(5114):1565-7; author reply 1567-9. doi: 10.1126/science.8503000. Science. 1993. PMID: 8503000 No abstract available.
  • Explaining fruit fly longevity.
    Kowald A, Kirkwood TB. Kowald A, et al. Science. 1993 Jun 11;260(5114):1664-5; author reply 1665-6. doi: 10.1126/science.8503014. Science. 1993. PMID: 8503014 No abstract available.

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