Study suggests why, in some species, mere presence of males
shortens females' lifespan  November 28th, 2013 in Biology /
Plants & Animals Caenorhabditis elegans. Image: Wikipedia.
Caenorhabditis elegans. Image: Wikipedia.  Researchers at the
Stanford University School of Medicine have discovered that
males of the laboratory roundworm secrete signaling molecules
that significantly shorten the lifespan of the opposite sex.
The scientists speculate that, if carried out after
reproduction, this "male-induced demise" could serve to conserve
precious resources for a male's offspring or to decrease the
supply of mates for other .  For several years, it's been known
that the presence of some male worms and flies can shorten the
lifespan of their female or hermaphroditic counterparts. But
it's not been clear why. Some researchers have speculated that
the physical stress of mating may lead to their early death.
The researchers studied the common laboratory roundworm, known
as Caenorhabditis elegans, or C. elegans.