At 194, Jonathan the Giant Tortoise Knows About Aging
Jonathan, the world's oldest land animal, a 194-year-old Aldabra giant tortoise, has had his genome sequenced, revealing unique genetic traits that may contribute to his extraordinary longevity. Scientists analyzed his DNA to identify patterns that protect the functioning of mitochondria, key cellular systems that tend to deteriorate with age.
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- ✓ Jonathan is estimated to be about 194 years old.
- ✓ Jonathan is an Aldabra giant tortoise.
- ✓ Jonathan lives on the remote South Atlantic island of St. Helena.
- ✓ Scientists identified 287 unique gene variants linked to healthy aging in Jonathan.
What changed
Scientists have successfully sequenced Jonathan's genome, providing new insights into his longevity.
Live updates
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Jonathan the 194-year-old tortoise offers insights into longevity
Jonathan, the world's oldest land animal, a 194-year-old Aldabra giant tortoise, has had his genome sequenced, revealing unique genetic traits that may contribute to his extraordinary longevity. Scientists analyzed his DNA to identify patterns that protect the functioning of mitochondria, key cellular systems that tend to deteriorate with age.
Why it matters
Jonathan's exceptional lifespan has sparked scientific interest in understanding the secrets of his longevity. As the oldest known land animal, his genetic makeup may hold clues to healthy aging and potentially inform human longevity research. Jonathan lives on the remote South Atlantic island of St. Helena.
What is confirmed
- Jonathan is estimated to be about 194 years old.
- Jonathan is an Aldabra giant tortoise.
- Jonathan lives on the remote South Atlantic island of St. Helena.
- Scientists identified 287 unique gene variants linked to healthy aging in Jonathan.
- DNA analysis revealed patterns that protect the functioning of mitochondria.
What to watch next
- Further analysis of Jonathan's genome to uncover more secrets of his longevity
- Comparison of Jonathan's genetic traits with those of other long-lived animals
- Potential applications of Jonathan's genetic traits in human longevity research
confidence 90%Sources used for this update (15)
- The New York Times — Jonathan the Giant Tortoise Is 194 Years Old. He Just Had His Genome Sequenced.
- Scientific American — The oldest known land animal is 194. How did he get so ancient?
- IFLScience — We Finally Know How Jonathan The Tortoise, The World's Oldest Land Animal, Is Still Alive And Kicking At 194
- The Guardian — Jonathan the giant tortoise, 194, offers up insight into secrets of longevity
- Yahoo — DNA from world’s oldest tortoise may hold key to human ageing
- Axios — Scientists look to 194-year-old tortoise for clues about healthy aging
- BBC Wildlife Magazine — Scientists analysed the DNA of world’s oldest land animal. What they found was staggering
- Reuters — A 194-year-old tortoise, world's oldest land animal, may hold clues to longer life
- www.theguardian.com — Jonathan the giant tortoise, 194, offers up insight into secrets of longevity | Ageing
- www.lbc.co.uk — World's oldest-known land animal may hold clues to longer life | LBC
- www.yahoo.com — Giant tortoise called Jonathan could hold the key to living to 200 years of age
- www.dailysabah.com — What Jonathan, 194-year-old tortoise, can teach us about longevity | Daily Sabah
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