Why do humans experience menopause? It's a question that many women grappling with its symptoms have pondered. Interestingly, out of 5,000 mammal species, only five species of toothed whales—such as killer whales, beluga whales, and narwhals—have females that regularly live long after ceasing reproduction.
Aiming to unravel this evolutionary puzzle, a UK-led team of researchers delved into the differences between these whale species and humans. Their study, published in Nature on Wednesday, concluded that despite vast differences, humans and these ocean giants share a \"convergent life history.\" This means menopause evolved independently in both lineages, shedding light on similar life strategies.
Long Lifespan
The research revealed that females of the five species exhibiting menopause live approximately 40 years longer than their counterparts in similar-sized whale species. Moreover, these female whales tend to outlive the males of their own kind, mirroring the human pattern where women often live longer than men. This extended lifespan post-reproduction may offer insights into the social structures and survival strategies of both whales and humans.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
