Protozoan parasite toxoplasma gondii manipulates mate choice in rats by enhancing attractiveness of males

• Main Authors: Sapolsky, Robert M., Dass, Shantala Arundathi Hari, Vasudevan, Anand, Dutta, Deborah, Soh, Linda Jing Ting, Vyas, Ajai
• Other Authors: School of Biological Sciences
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: DRNTU::Science::Biological sciences::Microbiology
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/93928; http://hdl.handle.net/10220/7469
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Females in various species typically avoid males infected with parasites, while parasite-free males advertise their status through conspicuous phenotypic traits. This process selects for heritable resistance and reduces direct exposure of the female to parasites. Coevolving parasites are likely to a...