Curr Biol January 2017 PMID 28089514

Reproductive Conflict and the Evolution of Menopause in Killer Whales.

Darren P Croft, Rufus A Johnstone, Samuel Ellis, Stuart Nattrass, Daniel W Franks, Lauren J N Brent, Sonia Mazzi, Kenneth C Balcomb, John K B Ford, Michael A Cant

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Mentions

15
Peak: 7 in Jan 2017
across 7 sources since Jan 2017

Extended reach

13,138
potential audience

Total likes

15

Video views

2,217

Mentions per month

Jan 2017 – Jun 2025

Where it's discussed

  • News5 articles
  • X / Twitter4 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Bluesky1 posts
  • Facebook1 posts
  • Instagram1 posts
  • Blogs1 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The discussions demonstrate strong interest and moderate engagement, with examples like referencing the potential evolutionary reasons for menopause, such as resource competition and ecological knowledge transfer, and quoting specific questions raised by the publication. The tone suggests respect for the research and curiosity about related species and further studies, reflecting a meaningful exchange of ideas and recognition of the study's relevance.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions support the importance and relevance of the article, particularly highlighting key questions about reproductive aging and conflict.

InterestHigh interest

Everyone appears highly interested, with references to new research, gene studies, and curiosity about related topics like chimpanzees and ecological knowledge.

EngagementModerate engagement

Participants are actively engaging by praising the research, suggesting other papers, and discussing specific questions raised by the study.

ImpactModerate impact

The conversations seem to influence ongoing academic curiosity and spark ideas for further research, indicating some level of impact.

Abstract in brief

  • The study explores why some female species, like killer whales, stop reproducing before they die, suggesting that reproductive conflicts between younger and older females might be a key factor.
  • Researchers used long-term data on killer whales to test a theory that older females' reproductive activities can negatively affect the survival of their progeny when competing with younger females.
  • Findings support the idea that intergenerational reproductive conflict influences the evolution of menopause in killer whales, as it favors younger females investing more in reproduction and explains their extended postreproductive lifespan.]

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Dr Lauren C White
@drlozwhite.bsky.social · Bluesky

“Avoidance of reproductive conflict and the evolution of menopause in chimpanzees” Read how we used genomic data to examine kinship dynamics as they relate to menopause in chimpanzees! royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...

Jun 25, 2025 · 5 likes · 4 shares View post →
Matias Pandolfi
@MatiasPandolfi · X

@IntraMednet Son cuatro: Orcas, calderones, belugas y narvales. En orcas está comprobado bien claro porque se vio a nivel comportamental a lo largo del tiempo https://t.co/Tzb7DSUzTv En los otros grupos es evidencia indirecta a través de estudios gonadales https://t.co/qxeR2NUE1q

Feb 24, 2019 · 3 likes · 6,843 followers View post →
Sam Ellis
@Samellisq · X

@_lrendell @turingfan @StuNattrass @DanFranksRsrch Agreed! I'd say there are two questions (1) why live a long time? help for grandoffspring through sharing ecological knowledge (new paper+https://t.co/EjlyxnYlmE), (2) why stop reproducing? to avoid competition for resources with reproducing offspring (https://t.co/yLPgLRSWww)

Dec 10, 2019 · 2 likes · 756 followers View post →
Agus BAC
@ElAgusdeKomodo · X

Chp 11, How to be fit Our only exception. Here we review Darren Croft's "Reproductive Conflict and the Evolution of Menopause in Killer Whales" https://t.co/t5kKd2tygD If you have a suggestion for another paper on this topic, please tweet it 9/n

Jun 3, 2020 · 1 like · 3,154 followers View post →

All mentions

Dr Lauren C White
@drlozwhite.bsky.social · Bluesky

“Avoidance of reproductive conflict and the evolution of menopause in chimpanzees” Read how we used genomic data to examine kinship dynamics as they relate to menopause in chimpanzees! royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/...

Jun 25, 2025 · 5 likes · 4 shares View post →
Agus BAC
@ElAgusdeKomodo · X

Chp 11, How to be fit Our only exception. Here we review Darren Croft's "Reproductive Conflict and the Evolution of Menopause in Killer Whales" https://t.co/t5kKd2tygD If you have a suggestion for another paper on this topic, please tweet it 9/n

Jun 3, 2020 · 1 like · 3,154 followers View post →
ハットリ, PhD, MD
@SyunsukeW · X

Reproductive Conflict and the Evolution of Menopause in Killer Whales: Current Biology https://t.co/TDGdZA5K8n

Dec 22, 2019 · 80 followers View post →
Sam Ellis
@Samellisq · X

@_lrendell @turingfan @StuNattrass @DanFranksRsrch Agreed! I'd say there are two questions (1) why live a long time? help for grandoffspring through sharing ecological knowledge (new paper+https://t.co/EjlyxnYlmE), (2) why stop reproducing? to avoid competition for resources with reproducing offspring (https://t.co/yLPgLRSWww)

Dec 10, 2019 · 2 likes · 756 followers View post →
Matias Pandolfi
@MatiasPandolfi · X

@IntraMednet Son cuatro: Orcas, calderones, belugas y narvales. En orcas está comprobado bien claro porque se vio a nivel comportamental a lo largo del tiempo https://t.co/Tzb7DSUzTv En los otros grupos es evidencia indirecta a través de estudios gonadales https://t.co/qxeR2NUE1q

Feb 24, 2019 · 3 likes · 6,843 followers View post →
Killer Whale Spyhopping [IMAGE] | EurekAlert! Science News ...
News

Mother-daughter conflict is key. Cell Press. Journal: Current Biology; DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2016.12.015. Keywords. /Physical sciences/Earth sciences/Oceanography ...

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Sí, LAS MUJERES TENEMOS PRÓSTATA. Son dos ... - Instagram
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Dec 10, 2019 View →
Killer whales shed light on the mystery of menopause
Blogs

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.cub.2016.12.015. Tags: killer whaleMenopause · Share TweetShare. We recommend. The disposable soma theory of ...

Jan 16, 2017 View →
Las orcas nos explican el misterio evolutivo de la menopausia ...
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... 10.1016/j.cub.2016.12.015 Imagen: Granny y su grupo de orcas. Copyright David Ellifrit, Center for Whale Research. Utilizada con permiso del ...

Jan 12, 2017 View →
Mother-daughter conflict between killer whales can explain the ...
News

10.1016/j.cub.2016.12.015. Keywords. /Life sciences/Organismal biology/Animals/Vertebrates/Mammals/Marine mammals/Cetaceans/Whales; /Life ...

Jan 12, 2017 View →
Why do killer whales go through menopause? Mother-daughter ...
News

Mother-daughter conflict is key. Cell Press. Journal: Current Biology; DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2016.12.015. Keywords. /Physical sciences/Earth ...

Jan 12, 2017 View →
Why do killer whales go through menopause? Mother-daughter ...
News

Reproductive Conflict and the Evolution of Menopause in Killer Whales. Cell, 2017; DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2016.12.015; Lauren J.N. Brent, Daniel W.

Jan 12, 2017 View →