A 194-year-old tortoise named Jonathan, an Aldabra giant tortoise, holds the title as the oldest-known land animal. Researchers delved into Jonathan’s genome to uncover the secrets behind his exceptional longevity. Led by Dr. Stephen Clark, a neuro-oncologist and chief scientist at the longevity nonprofit Kallel, the study discovered that certain sections of Jonathan’s genome responsible for gene regulation resembled those of much younger tortoises. The findings were detailed in the journal Science Advances.
Jonathan resides on the estate of the governor of St. Helena. The study sheds light on the remarkable longevity of this tortoise and provides valuable insights into defying aging.
Image: A giant tortoise in a field in front of a house.