Pan_troglodytes AnAge entry for Pan troglodytes

Classification (HAGRID: 02426)

Taxonomy
Kingdom: Animalia
    Phylum: Chordata
        Class: Mammalia (Taxon entry)
            Order: Primates (Taxon entry)
                Family: Hominidae
                    Genus: Pan
Species
Pan troglodytes
Common name
Chimpanzee

Lifespan, ageing, and relevant traits

IMR
0.04/year
MRDT
8 years
Maximum longevity
59.4 years (captivity)
Source
ref. 671
Sample size
Large
Data quality
Acceptable
Observations

Physiological observations indicate that chimpanzees develop age-related changes typical of humans at considerably earlier ages, and geriatric chimpanzees were originally defined as animals with 34 years of age and older [0590]. Even in captivity, young adult chimpanzees have considerably higher mortality rates than humans [0008]. Therefore, while it is not known whether the pace of ageing is different between chimpanzees and humans, the onset of ageing appears to occur at earlier ages in chimpanzees. The MRTD and IMR were estimated based on mortality rates obtained from field sites [0834]. The difference in longevity does not appear to be related to telomere shortening. Telomere attrition rates are similar between the two species and telomeres are twice as long in chimpanzees than in humans [1172]. Additionally, unlike humans, chimpanzees exhibit few age-related changes in total brain and grey matter volume, cortical thickness, and mean depth and folding of major cortical sulci [1173].

Determining the maximum longevity of chimpanzees is problematic due to the many anecdotal reports. "Cheeta", a male chimpanzee who participated in some Tarzan movies, has been reported to still be alive [0505], and having died at 80 years of age [0853]; these claims have not been verified and may well be exaggerated. One wild-born female called "Little Mama" was estimated to be over 70 years of age at Lion Country Safari in Florida [0842]. Another specimen, called "Gregoire", reportedly died at the age of 66 in Congo after living most of his life in Brazzaville Zoo. In spite of these claims, chimpanzees in captivity have not been confirmed to live for more than 60 years [0671]. Therefore, although the issue is controversial, the established maximum longevity of chimpanzees remains the 59.4 years that a female called "Gamma" was when she died in 1992 at Yerkes Regional Primate Research Center in Atlanta [0574]. Similarly, the maximum longevity in the wild belongs to one 55 year-old female, though there are unverified reports suggesting a longer lifespan [0008].

There is considerable controversy regarding whether chimpanzees reach menopause [0976]. A 56 year-old female has been reported to give birth at Sunset Zoo in Manhattan, Kansas [0854]. Menopause coincides with the end of lifespan in many nonhuman primates. Changes in the reproductive tracts of aged chimpanzees mimic changes described in the reproductive tracts of aged humans, apart from malignant changes in the mammary gland and prostate gland [1233].

Life history traits (averages)

No information is available on life history. Please contact us if you wish to suggest or contribute data.

Metabolism

Typical body temperature
309ºK or 35.7ºC or 96.3ºF
Basal metabolic rate
Not yet available

References

External Resources

Integrated Taxonomic Information System
ITIS 573082
Animal Diversity Web
ADW account
Encyclopaedia of Life
Search EOL
NCBI Taxonomy
Taxonomy ID 9598
Entrez
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Ageing Literature
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Images
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Internet
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