Some animal species, such as moles, bees and ants, live in groups with a clear division of labour. This way of living together is called eusociality. In these groups there is often a single reproducing queen, while the other animals work together to support the colony. Research shows that such animals often live much longer than comparable solitary species.
The long lifespan of these animals is related to their special social structure. Because they live in a group and help each other, the risk to individual animals is lower. This makes it advantageous for some members, such as the queen, to be able to live to an old age in order to keep the colony stable. Scientists believe that this cooperation leads to the selection of a longer lifespan.
Long lifespans occur in various animals, despite them not being closely related. This shows that eusociality has a strong influence on how long animals can live. As a result, these animals make an interesting subject for research into healthy ageing and life extension.
For humans, understanding these social strategies can help in seeking ways to age healthily. Cooperation and care within a community also appear to play an important role in a long and healthy life in nature.
Source: Reason
