A 194-year-old tortoise named Jonathan, an Aldabra giant tortoise, holds the record as the oldest-known land animal. Researchers delved into Jonathan’s genome to investigate how he has achieved such remarkable longevity. Led by Dr. Stephen Clark, a neuro-oncologist and chief scientist at the longevity nonprofit Kallel, the study revealed that certain parts of Jonathan’s genome responsible for gene regulation were comparable to those of five-year-old tortoises. These findings were published in the journal Science Advances.
Jonathan resides on the grounds of the governor of St. Helena’s residence, where he continues to defy the odds of aging. This study sheds light on the secrets behind Jonathan’s longevity and offers valuable insights into the mechanisms that enable certain species to live exceptionally long lives.