Brunet-Rossinni Anja K, Austad Steven N
Department of Biological Sciences, University of Idaho, P.O.Box 443051, Moscow, ID 83844-3051, USA.
Biogerontology. 2004;5(4):211-22. doi: 10.1023/B:BGEN.0000038022.65024.d8.
Bat biologists have long known about the exceptional longevity of bats (Order: Chiroptera), which is unusual for mammals of such a small size and a high metabolic rate. Yet relatively few mechanistic studies have focused on this longevity. On average, species of Chiroptera live three times longer than predicted by their body size. In addition, bats have other life history traits that are characteristic of large, long-lived mammals such as few and large offspring and slow growth rates. Bats fit the evolutionary theory of ageing, as their extended longevity is predicted by their ability to escape extrinsic mortality through flight and, in some species, hibernation. They also show tradeoffs between longevity and reproduction, as predicted by the disposable soma theory of ageing. From a physiological perspective, bat longevity reportedly correlates with replicative longevity, low brain calpain activity, and reduced reactive oxygen species production. As long-lived and physiologically interesting organisms, bats may prove to be an informative model system for ageing research.
蝙蝠生物学家早就知道蝙蝠（翼手目）具有超长的寿命，对于如此体型小且代谢率高的哺乳动物来说，这是不同寻常的。然而，相对较少的机制研究关注这种长寿现象。平均而言，翼手目物种的寿命比根据其体型预测的寿命长三倍。此外，蝙蝠还有其他一些大型长寿哺乳动物所特有的生活史特征，比如后代数量少且体型大，生长速度缓慢。蝙蝠符合衰老的进化理论，因为它们通过飞行以及某些物种通过冬眠来逃避外在死亡的能力预示着它们能延长寿命。正如衰老的可抛弃体细胞理论所预测的那样，它们在寿命和繁殖之间也表现出权衡。从生理学角度来看，据报道蝙蝠的长寿与复制性寿命、低脑钙蛋白酶活性以及活性氧产生减少有关。作为长寿且生理上有趣的生物体，蝙蝠可能会被证明是衰老研究中一个有价值的模型系统。
