'Jonathan' is the oldest land animal on Earth
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Scientists sequenced Jonathan the tortoise's genome to uncover aging secrets.
Jonathan, a 194-year-old Aldabra giant tortoise, is the oldest known living land animal. Researchers sequenced his genome from cheek swabs and compared it to younger tortoises. They found unique gene variants in DNA repair, insulin regulation, and mitochondrial function. A surprise was his pristine mitochondrial methylome, resembling that of a five-year-old tortoise. The study published in Science Advances aims to understand aging and potentially extend human healthspan. Jonathan lives on Saint Helena, where he arrived in the 1880s.
What commenters are saying
Commenters joked about Jonathan min-maxing longevity over charisma, with some arguing he's actually charismatic. Others questioned why the U.S. Space Force delivered the samples, noting operations on nearby Ascension Island. A debate emerged over lifespanصنع focusing on healthspan versus lifespan, with some citing examples of productive科学家 who worked despite illness. A correction noted that older animals exist in the sea, like Greenland sharks and sponges.