Longevity denominators: 101 species living 250+ years, mostly plants
A survey of 101 multicellular species with maximum lifespans of 250+ years, 11 animals and 90 plants, found shared mechanisms of DNA maintenance, stemness and stress management in lifespan variation; the authors urge caution given limited in-depth data. [1]
Automatic summary · not editorially reviewed
The key findings
Of 101 multicellular species with a maximum lifespan of 250+ years, 11 are animals and 90 are plants. [1]
Both within-species and between-species lifespan variation involve mechanisms related to DNA maintenance, stemness and stress management. [1]
The authors caution that conclusions are limited by sparse in-depth molecular studies, methodological variation and partial understanding of physiology-environment interplay. [1]
The source at a glance
- Study type / format
- Abstract of a survey/review of lifespan variation across species
- Population / context
- 101 multicellular species with a maximum lifespan of 250+ years (11 animals, 90 plants).
- Summary based on
- Study abstract
- Original publication
- September 8, 2026
Species set: 11 animals, 90 plants over 250 years
The abstract focuses on species living at least twice as long as humans. Of 101 multicellular species with a maximum lifespan of 250+ years, 11 are animals and 90 are plants. The authors surveyed genetic, transcriptional, proteomic, metabolomic, regeneration-, stress- and cancer-related components of lifespan variation within and between species.
Supporting source [1]
Shared mechanisms within and between species
The authors examined whether mechanisms regulating lifespan variation within species are the same as or different from those regulating variation between species. They identified similarities: both types involve mechanisms related to DNA maintenance, stemness and stress management. Such mechanisms are also typical of early developmental stages and germ cells.
Supporting source [1]
Caution: sparse in-depth data and method variation
The authors caution against robust conclusions from available data. They cite the lack of in-depth molecular studies on healthspan and lifespan across thousands of individuals and species, methodological variation across published studies, and only partial understanding of how physiology and environment interact across species.
Supporting source [1]
How to interpret this
Abstract only; the full text was not reviewed. The abstract reports a survey of published components, not new experiments, and itself notes sparse in-depth molecular studies, methodological variation and partial understanding of physiology-environment interplay.
Based on the study abstract; the full paper, tables and supplementary data were not reviewed.
Source & supporting passages
Kapsetaki SE, Tavernarakis N. · europepmc.org · September 8, 2026