| Abstract: | The process of accumulation of deleterious mutations is the fundamental reason of ageing, according to the evolutionary theory. In this theory, the individuals better fitted to reproduce will suffer this accumulation in adulthood or old age. We present results obtained from Monte Carlo simulations of the Penna model dealing with the influence of environmental conditions in the reproductive regimes and its consequences on the population ageing: longevity and catastrophic senescence. Moreover, the role of antagonistic pleiotropy in the time evolution is discussed. A puzzling experimental result obtained in species with gender differentiation is the existence of different survival probabilities for males and females. This matter is discussed here in the context of antagonistic pleiotropy. |
