Telomere length covaries with personality in wild brown trout

What is it about?

Telomeres are the DNA endcaps on animal chromosomes. They play a role in protecting DNA very much like the plastic endcaps at the tip of shoelaces. Our study suggests that the length of an individual's telomeres may influence its personality. Wild trout with shorter telomeres behaved consistenty more bold and aggressive in a controlled setup.

Featured Image

Why is it important?

Telomeres attract a lot of interest from scientists interested in ageing because they appear to play a crucial role in regulating senescence and lifespan. As animals grow older telomeres tend to shorten, and in this process their cells tend to become less effective in maintaining all necessary bodily functions. A link between behaviour and telomere length therefore suggests animals fine-tune their behaviour towards their expected lifespan.