The evolution of late life

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 nonaging 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. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.