AnAge entry for Proteus anguinus

Proteus anguinus is a species with negligible senescence

Classification (HAGRID: 00183)

Taxonomy: Kingdom: Animalia
    Phylum: Chordata
        Class: Amphibia (Taxon entry)
            Order: Caudata
                Family: Proteidae
                    Genus: Proteus
Species: Proteus anguinus
Common name: Olm
Synonyms: Siren anguina, Caledon anguinus, Apneumona anguina, Hypochthon anguinus, Hypochthon zoisii, Hypochthon schreibersii, Hypochthon freyeri, Hypochthon carrarae, Hypochthon haidingeri, Hypochthon xanthostictus, Proteus zoisii, Proteus carrarae, Proteus xanthostictus, Proteus schreibersii, Proteus anguinus carrarae, Proteus anguinus zoisii, Proteus anguinus freyeri, Proteus anguinus anguinus, Proteus anguinus parkelj

IMR: Not yet available
MRDT: No MRDT detected
Maximum longevity: 102 years (wild)
Source: ref. 934
Sample size: Medium
Data quality: Acceptable
Observations: The development of these animals depends highly on the ambient temperature. Sexual maturity, for instance, takes an extra 14 years to occur at temperatures of 10 degrees C [0749]. Based on mortality patterns, these animals have been estimated to live over 102 years in the wild; signs of ageing have not been detected [0934]. In captivity, record longevity is 58 years [0485]. As such, this species appears to be a case of negligible senescence.

No information on metabolism is available.

[0934] Voituron et al. (2011), Extreme lifespan of the human fish (Proteus anguinus): a challenge for ageing mechanisms (PubMed)
[0485] Andrew Snider and J. Bowler (1992), Longevity of Reptiles and Amphibians in North American Collections, Second Edition
[0749] AmphibiaWeb