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First link for today is a rundown on aging, or senescence in various species. Some excerpts:
There are also many plant species that show clear signs of senescence. Some, such as bamboo, reproduce, age, and die at well defined times indicating a pre-programmed mechanism. Bamboo are then considered semelparous, meaning they reproduce only once, in contrast to iteroparous species like humans that can reproduce more than once during their lifetime. Also note that semelparous species can be long-lived. For example, plants of the genus Agave can take 100 years to mature and then suddenly die, which can also be called "big bang" reproduction (Finch, 1990, p. 101). These events are hormonally triggered and, for example, depending on the species of bamboo can take between 7 and 120 years (Janzen, 1976).
One of the animal species with the longest longevity is an invertebrate tubeworm called Lamellibrachia. In contrast to the rapid growth and much shorter lifespans of similar species living in habitats richer in nutrients, animals living around hydrocarbon seeps grow very slowly and have longevities estimated to be between 170 and 250 years (Bergquist et al., 2000). Other long-lived invertebrate species include the bivalve mollusk ocean quahog (Arctica islandica) that has been estimated to live up to 400 years (Abele et al., 2008), and the red sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus franciscanus; Fig. 2) that may live up to 200 years (Ebert and Southon, 2003). These three species appear not to age and are referred to as species with negligible senescence
One of the few reported mammalian species with "big bang" reproduction and semelparity is a marsupial called Antechinus stuartii, a type Australian mouse [ed: not really, since they're marsupials they're more related to kangaroos than mice] (Finch, 1990, pp. 95-98; Gosden, 1996, pp. 13-30). During the annual mating season, males become "intoxicated" with sex hormones. They have such an increased libido that they are unable to eat and eventually die of sexual stress. The endocrine changes even affect the immune system so that more energy is available for reproduction. Just like in the salmon, castrating the males also increases their lifespan by two to three-fold.
A long piece on viviparity in snakes. Indeed, many snakes give birth to live young!
Solar-thermal power plants occasionally explode. That's exciting!
The science of planetary bodies. What determines the physical properties of a planet?
There are also many plant species that show clear signs of senescence. Some, such as bamboo, reproduce, age, and die at well defined times indicating a pre-programmed mechanism. Bamboo are then considered semelparous, meaning they reproduce only once, in contrast to iteroparous species like humans that can reproduce more than once during their lifetime. Also note that semelparous species can be long-lived. For example, plants of the genus Agave can take 100 years to mature and then suddenly die, which can also be called "big bang" reproduction (Finch, 1990, p. 101). These events are hormonally triggered and, for example, depending on the species of bamboo can take between 7 and 120 years (Janzen, 1976).
One of the animal species with the longest longevity is an invertebrate tubeworm called Lamellibrachia. In contrast to the rapid growth and much shorter lifespans of similar species living in habitats richer in nutrients, animals living around hydrocarbon seeps grow very slowly and have longevities estimated to be between 170 and 250 years (Bergquist et al., 2000). Other long-lived invertebrate species include the bivalve mollusk ocean quahog (Arctica islandica) that has been estimated to live up to 400 years (Abele et al., 2008), and the red sea urchin (Strongylocentrotus franciscanus; Fig. 2) that may live up to 200 years (Ebert and Southon, 2003). These three species appear not to age and are referred to as species with negligible senescence
One of the few reported mammalian species with "big bang" reproduction and semelparity is a marsupial called Antechinus stuartii, a type Australian mouse [ed: not really, since they're marsupials they're more related to kangaroos than mice] (Finch, 1990, pp. 95-98; Gosden, 1996, pp. 13-30). During the annual mating season, males become "intoxicated" with sex hormones. They have such an increased libido that they are unable to eat and eventually die of sexual stress. The endocrine changes even affect the immune system so that more energy is available for reproduction. Just like in the salmon, castrating the males also increases their lifespan by two to three-fold.
A long piece on viviparity in snakes. Indeed, many snakes give birth to live young!
Solar-thermal power plants occasionally explode. That's exciting!
The science of planetary bodies. What determines the physical properties of a planet?