Parasite makes chimpanzees crave leopard urine, hinting at human olfactory quirks

1 min read
Source: BBC Wildlife Magazine
Parasite makes chimpanzees crave leopard urine, hinting at human olfactory quirks
Photo: BBC Wildlife Magazine
TL;DR

New research shows Toxoplasma gondii can alter chimpanzee behavior, drawing infected individuals to the scent of leopards (the parasite’s natural predator), likely boosting transmission when felines prey on them; similar olfactory effects are suspected in humans, suggesting an evolutionary relic of the parasite’s manipulation.

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