Are Toxoplasma-infected subjects more attractive, symmetrical, or healthier than non-infected ones? Evidence from subjective and objective measurements
Background Parasites are among the main factors that negatively impact the health and reproductive success of organisms. However, if parasites diminish a host’s health and attractiveness to such an extent that finding a mate becomes almost impossible, the parasite would decrease its odds of...
peerj.com
This study released last week shows that people infected with the common parasite Toxoplasma gondii were rated as more attractive and healthier-looking than people who don't carry the parasite.
Men were found to have higher facial symmetry, and women had lower body mass index.- Both sexes were rated as more attractive.
The pathogen is said to alter the "phenotypic characteristics of its hosts" in order to increase its spread.- Genius
