Fishes of the genus Sebastes, which include more than 100 species, are known for their longevity. Some live 11 years, but others can live beyond 200 years, as is the case with the species Sebastes aleutianus.
A team of researchers from the University of California at Berkeley (UC Berkeley) analyzed the genome of 88 Sebastes fish in the Pacific Ocean, in order to understand how they live so long.
According to the study, the explanation lies in several characteristics. First, they are large fish that live in cold waters on the seafloor, thus having a slower metabolism and being less susceptible to predators. Another reason lies in their genes. The longer-lived fish carried specific genes associated with a mechanism by which cells identify and repair damage to DNA molecules. The results also pointed to the presence of genes linked to insulin regulation and to regulation of the immune system.
According to specialists, the species with greater longevity within the genus Sebastes suffer greater impact from the ongoing threats of overfishing and climate change. With lower genetic diversity, this may drive them to extinction more quickly.
