Aging and Senescence across Reproductive Traits and Survival in Superb Fairy-Wrens (<i>Malurus cyaneus</i>)

Why do senescence rates of fitness-related traits often vary dramatically? By considering the full aging trajectories multiple traits, we can better understand how a species’ life history shapes evolution within population. Here, examined age-related changes in sex-specific survival, reproduction, and several components reproduction using long-term study cooperatively breeding songbird, superb fairy-wren (Malurus cyaneus). We compared patterns between by estimating standardized maturation, age onset senescence, while controlling for confounding factors reflecting individual variability history. found striking differences survival as well reproductive traits. In both sexes, started to decline from maturity onward. contrast, all showed improvements into early adulthood, many little or no evidence senescence. females, despite clutch size, number offspring surviving independence did not late life, possibly due maternal care with age. Superb fairy-wrens have exceptionally high levels extragroup paternity, male within-group success change age, dramatic increase ages, followed senescent decline, suggesting that is driven sexual selection. discuss fairy-wrens’ complex may contribute disparate across different