Jonathan the giant tortoise, famed for his exceptional longevity, was named one of Guinness World Records’ “ICONS” this year at age 194 — and he might just hold the same esteem in scientists’ eyes.
The oldest-living land animal, Jonathan is believed to have hatched in 1832, making him a contemporary of Charles Darwin, Emily Dickinson, and Queen Victoria. Researchers just sequenced his genome for the first time and said the findings could help humans lead longer, healthier lives.
“There are few creatures that could tell us more about aging than the giant tortoises of the Galapagos and Seychelles islands,” Cambridge University scientist Justin Gerlach, who’s studied the ecology and conservation of giant tortoises for several decades, said in a statement. He added, “Working with a really old giant tortoise is such a privilege: You get a sense of the tortoise being your collaborator, not your study subject.”
Jonathan (left) in 1886
His team’s research suggests that it’s not only good genes but also a lack of genetic wear and tear that have kept Jonathan going for nearly two centuries. The study pinpointed 287 unique gene variants that may reduce the usual effects of aging in the tortoise.
The scientists explained that those variants control “key” processes in the body, including repairing DNA damage, reducing inflammation, regulating insulin, and suppressing cancer.
Jonathan, an Aldabra giant tortoise, has lived most of his life on the island of St. Helena in the South Atlantic. He arrived there, already fully grown, from the Seychelles 144 years ago as a gift to the governor, and spends his time on the grounds of the Plantation House, the governor’s residence.
The Aldabra giant tortoises of the Galapagos and Seychelles islands are the last survivors of animals that used to dominate the ecology of many of the world’s islands. The Seychelles population also recently made headlines, as a new report found they are 180,000-strong, the highest count ever recorded for the once-endangered species.
Researchers also compared Jonathan’s epigenome — the “on/ off” switches on his genes — with those of younger giant tortoises of the same species. They found the switches controlling his DNA repair and metabolism genes were remarkably similar to those in his younger relatives and have “remained incredibly stable” over almost 200 years, per Gerlach.
Usually, the epigenome changes over time, contributing to the aging process, a pivotal reason things start to go wrong in older bodies.
The study, published in the journal Science Advances, marks the first time the epigenome of a giant tortoise has been investigated. It was led by scientists at longevity research nonprofit Kallel, who say that cracking the genetic code of a multi-century life offers “unprecedented” insights into extreme lifespan.
“Nature has already solved the puzzle of aging in remarkable ways, and Jonathan’s genome provides a blueprint for cellular resilience,” said Stephen Clark, senior study author and founder of Kallel. “Our goal is to take these evolutionary insights and immediately translate them into practical, affordable treatments for everyday people. Aging is the greatest risk factor for nearly every chronic disease we face, and through the generosity of philanthropic partners, we can democratize access to longevity medicine.”
This article was originally written by Stephen Beech for SWNS — the U.K.’s largest independent news agency, providing globally relevant original, verified, and engaging content to the world’s leading media outlets.
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