Victoria Gill
Victoria Gill is a reporter for the BBC.
Victoria Gill is a reporter for the BBC.
What can killer whales teach us about menopause?
Menopause is a puzzle for biologists. Why would the female of a species cease to reproduce half way through her life, when natural selection favors characteristics that help an individual’s genes survive? A study of killer whales — one of only two mammals apart from humans to undergo menopause — is providing clues.Menopause is a puzzle for biologists. Why would the female of a species cease to reproduce half way through her life, when natural selection favors characteristics that help an individual’s genes survive? A study of killer whales — one of only two mammals apart from humans to undergo menopause — is providing clues.