Constitutional basis of longevity in the cetacea: do the whales and the terrestrial mammals obey the same laws

Conference · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1978

OSTI ID:6205625

Sacher, G. A.

The maximum lifespans in captivity for terrestrial mammalian species can be estimated by means of a multiple linear regression of logarithm of lifespan (L) on the logarithm of adult brain weight (E) and body weight (S). This paper describes the application of regression formulas based on data from terrestrial mammals to the estimation of odontocete and mysticete lifespans. The regression formulas predict cetacean lifespans that are in accord with the data on maximum cetacean lifespans obtained in recent years by objective age determination procedures. More remarkable is the correct prediction by the regression formulas that the odontocete species have nearly constant lifespans, almost independent of body weight over a 300:1 body weight range. This prediction is a consequence of the fact, remarkable in itself, that over this body weight range the Odontoceti have a brain:body allometric slope of 1/3, as compared to a slope of 2/3 for the Mammalia as a whole.

• Research Organization: Argonne National Lab., IL (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-31-109-ENG-38
• OSTI ID: 6205625
• Report Number(s): CONF-7809118-1
• Resource Relation: Conference: Symposium on age determination in odontocete, La Jolla, CA, USA, 8 Sep 1978
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CETACEANS
LIFE SPAN
WEIGHT
CORRELATIONS
BODY
BRAIN
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
ISOLATED VALUES
MAMMALS
MORTALITY
SURVIVAL TIME
ANIMALS
CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM
DATA
DATA FORMS
INFORMATION
NERVOUS SYSTEM
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANS
VERTEBRATES
550100* - Behavioral Biology
520100 - Environment
Aquatic- Basic Studies- (-1989)