Bigmouth buffalo defy aging and live over a century

In Canada’s Qu’Appelle River system, recent studies revealed that bigmouth buffalo often exceed 100 years of age, with some individuals verified to have lived up to 127 years. These hulking filter-feeders, found across North America, show a worrying trend where populations have not seen any new generations for over 50 years in some habitats, such as Rice Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Minnesota. Despite spawning each spring, young fish fail to survive into adulthood due to predation by invasive species, poor water management, and environmental factors such as temperature changes. The survival of these ancient fish hangs in the balance as conservationists raise alarms about the long-term sustainability of the population given the significant recruitment gap, which could lead to their decline in future generations. Remarkably, the aging process of the bigmouth buffalo appears to differ from that of most species. While other animals typically show decline with age, these fish demonstrate negligible senescence, exhibiting lower stress and stronger immune responses even in advanced age. This phenomenon challenges traditional understandings of aging in vertebrates and raises intriguing questions for future research on longevity and conservation efforts in aquatic ecosystems. Immediate action may be necessary to ensure that this species does not face extinction, as they may be a key part of their ecosystems and biological studies on aging.