LAUSR

Comparative studies of mortality in the wild are necessary to understand the evolution of aging; yet, ectothermic tetrapods are underrepresented in this comparative landscape, despite their suitability for testing evolutionary hypotheses. We present a study of aging rates and longevity across wild tetrapod ectotherms, using data from 107 populations (77 species) of nonavian reptiles and amphibians. We test hypotheses of how thermoregulatory mode, environmental temperature, protective phenotypes, and pace of life history contribute to demographic aging. Controlling for phylogeny and body size, ectotherms display a higher diversity of aging rates compared with endotherms and include phylogenetically widespread evidence of negligible aging. Protective phenotypes and life-history strategies further explain macroevolutionary patterns of aging. Analyzing ectothermic tetrapods in a comparative context enhances our understanding of the evolution of aging. Description How to cheat senescence? Compared with birds and mammals, herpetiles, especially turtles and tortoises, are well-known examples of extremely long-lived animals that show little evidence of age-related decline (see the Perspective by Austad and Finch). By comparing aging rates and longevity across 77 species of reptiles and amphibians, Reinke et al. found considerable variation in senescence and elucidated some of the drivers of these differences in nature. In another paper, Da Silva et al. studied turtles and tortoises in zoos and found clear evidence that negligible senescence occurs under controlled conditions. —SNV In the wild, the aging rates of reptiles and amphibians range from negligible to fast depending on protective traits and pace of lifestyle.