AnAge entry for Chiroptera

Classification (HAGRID: 02322)

Taxonomy
Kingdom: Animalia
    Phylum: Chordata
        Class: Mammalia (Taxon entry)
Order
Chiroptera (Browse taxon)
Common name
Bats
Synonyms
Megachiroptera, Microchiroptera
Find members of Chiroptera
Find members of Chiroptera

Lifespan, ageing, and relevant traits

Observations

Compared with size-equivalent mammals, bats are long-lived [0424]. Their low extrinsic mortality due to their ability to fly likely contributed to the selection of a longer lifespan [0477]. Many longevity records from bats come from banding studies conducted in the wild and hence maximum longevity may be underestimated.

A recent study using 67 species of bats aimed to elucidate the longevity differences between bat species. They found that, for species that hibernate, longevity was determined by body mass, latitude and cave use. For non-hibernator bats, longevity was determined by body mass, cave use and sexual dimorphism. Bats that roost in caves will generally live longer and species with sexual dimorphism (males larger than females) will have shorter lifespans. When controlling for other variables, hibernations was found to be associated with greater lifespans [1393].

Other factors that may influence these animals long longevities are their diet, high levels of SOD and catalase activity coupled with low levels of hydrogen peroxide production, high resistance to unfolding and denaturalization of proteins, hight level of expression of DNA repair genes that may play a role in telomere maintenance, and their natural resistance to diabetes and cancer [1394].

References

External Resources

Integrated Taxonomic Information System
ITIS 179985
Animal Diversity Web
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NCBI Taxonomy
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