Human aging may have been influenced by millions of years of dinosaur domination according to a new theory from a leading aging expert. The 'longevity bottleneck' hypothesis has been proposed by Professor Joao Pedro de Magalhaes from the University of Birmingham in a new study published in BioEssays. The hypothesis connects the role that dinosaurs played over 100 million years with the aging process in mammals.
  • inlandempire
    141·
    1 year ago

    Am I right in thinking this means that dynos basically stole our long lives ? I hate them.

    • test113@lemmy.worldEnglish
      15·
      1 year ago

      No, not exactly. Initially, it’s merely a hypothesis. The article somewhat sensationalizes the professor’s statements. The evolution of mammals was influenced by many factors, including the presence of other species like reptiles or dinosaurs. These species already occupied certain niches, compelling mammals to adapt in various ways, including developing shorter lifespans—a trait beneficial for evolution. It’s not just the dinosaurs that are responsible, but rather the entire set of circumstances leading to human existence. The professor is attempting to pinpoint specific factors contributing to this evolutionary path.

      • inlandempire
        8·
        1 year ago

        Thanks for taking the time to respond to my half joke half confusion about who to blame haha

    • Varyk@sh.itjust.works
      9·
      1 year ago

      I guess so, they were just stepping on us and chomping us up so we had to hurry up and mature to make babies. Side effect of rapid maturation - getting dead too fast

      • Opafi@feddit.de
        7·
        1 year ago

        So we ended up with a survival strategy that benefited the species but hurt the individual? Like… Swamp dragons? Guess we can be lucky we don’t explode.