title: The evolution of late life.
abstract: Late life is a distinct phase of life characterized by a cessation in the deterioration of survivorship and fecundity characteristic of normal aging. Several theories have been proposed to explain non-aging at late ages, specifically with regards to late-life mortality-rate plateaus. All such theories must be compatible with formal evolutionary theory and experimental findings. Here, we develop a critique of theories of late life based on evolutionary biology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of California, 321 Steinhaus Hall, Irvine, CA 92697-2525, USA.
authors.forename: Casandra L
authors.initials: CL
authors.lastname: Rauser
authors.forename: Laurence D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Mueller
authors.forename: Michael R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Rose
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000375:Aging / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D005075:Biological Evolution; D005298:Fertility / Q000235:genetics; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005828:Genetics, Population; D006801:Humans; D008136:Longevity / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D009026:Mortality; D012641:Selection, Genetic