School of Science, Engineering and Environment, University of Salford Manchester, Salford, M5 4NT, UK.
Biogerontology. 2024 Oct 29;26(1):6. doi: 10.1007/s10522-024-10143-5.
Ageing is generally regarded as a non-adaptive by-product of evolution. Based on this premise three classic evolutionary theories of ageing have been proposed. These theories have dominated the literature for several decades. Despite their individual nuances, the common thread which unites them is that they posit that ageing results from a decline in the intensity of natural selection with chronological age. Empirical evidence has been identified which supports each theory. However, a consensus remains to be fully established as to which theory best accounts for the evolution of ageing. A consequence of this uncertainty are counter arguments which advocate for alternative theoretical frameworks, such as those which propose an adaptive origin for ageing, senescence, or death. Given this backdrop, this review has several aims. Firstly, to briefly discuss the classic evolutionary theories. Secondly, to evaluate how evolutionary forces beyond a monotonic decrease in natural selection can affect the evolution of ageing. Thirdly, to examine alternatives to the classic theories. Finally, to introduce a pluralistic interpretation of the evolution of ageing. The basis of this pluralistic theoretical framework is the recognition that certain evolutionary ideas will be more appropriate depending on the organism, its ecological context, and its life history.
衰老通常被认为是进化的一种非适应性副产品。基于这一前提，提出了三种经典的衰老进化理论。这些理论在文献中占主导地位已有几十年了。尽管它们各自存在细微差别，但将它们联系在一起的共同点是，它们认为衰老是由随着年龄的增长自然选择强度的下降引起的。已经确定了支持每种理论的经验证据。然而，对于哪种理论最能解释衰老的进化，仍然没有达成共识。这种不确定性的一个后果是，有人提出了替代理论框架的反论，例如那些认为衰老、衰老或死亡具有适应性起源的理论。有鉴于此，本次综述有几个目的。首先，简要讨论经典的进化理论。其次，评估除自然选择单调下降之外的进化力量如何影响衰老的进化。第三，研究经典理论的替代方案。最后，引入衰老进化的多元化解释。这一多理论框架的基础是认识到，某些进化思想将根据生物体、其生态背景及其生命历史而更加适用。
