Why are the offspring of older mothers less fit to live long and prosper?
Thursday, July 2, 2020 - 14:40
in Paleontology & Archaeology
The offspring of older mothers don't fare as well as those of younger mothers, in humans and many other species. They aren't as healthy, or they don't live as long, or they have fewer offspring themselves. A longstanding puzzle is why evolution would maintain this maternal effect in so many species, since these late-born offspring are less fit to survive and reproduce.