Scientists pitch ‘survival of the laziest’ theory

Jobless couch potato 30-year-olds who still live with their parents could represent the next stage in human evolution, says a new theory.

A study has uncovered a previously overlooked law of natural selection based on “survival of the slacker”.

It suggests laziness can be a good strategy to ensure the survival of individuals, species and even whole groups of species.

The research was based on molluscs living on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean, but authors believe they may have stumbled on a general principal that may apply to higher animals – including land-dwelling vertebrates.

The scientists studied the energy needs of 299 species of extinct and living bivalves and gastropods spanning five million years. Those that evaded extinction tended to be “low maintenance” with minimal energy requirements.

US ecologist Professor Bruce Lieberman, who co-led the University of Kansas team, said: “Maybe in the long term the best evolutionary strategy for animals is to be lassitudinous and sluggish.

“Instead of ‘survival of the fittest’, maybe a better metaphor for the history of life is ‘survival of the laziest’.”

The findings could have implications for forecasting the fate of species affected by climate change, said the scientists.

Dr Luke Strotz, also from the University of Kansas, said: “In a sense, we’re looking at a potential predictor of extinction probability.

“At the species level, metabolic rate isn’t the be-all, end-all of extinction. Tthere are a lot of factors at play.

“But these results say that the metabolic rate of an organism is a component of extinction likelihood.”

The team now plans a follow-up to see if “survival of the laziest” applies to other kinds of animals.

“A previously overlooked lawofnatural selection”