Protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii manipulates mate choice in rats by enhancing attractiveness of males.
basic_science · Level V
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- Record sourced from PubMed, PMID 22073295.
- Also identified by DOI 10.1371/journal.pone.0027229 and PMC identifier PMC2533699.
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Abstract
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 attempt to circumvent this obstacle. In this paper, we demonstrate a case of parasitic manipulation of host mate choice. We report that Toxoplasma gondii, a sexually transmitted infection of brown rats, enhances sexual attractiveness of infected males. Thus under some evolutionary niches, parasites can indeed manipulate host sexual signaling to their own advantage.