User:LiamW1265/sandbox

Parasite-Mediated Mate Choice
Several hypotheses attempt to explain how parasite load influences female mate choice. According to the Hamilton-Zuk hypothesis, female mate choice is based on the extent to which male secondary sexual characteristics are expressed, as these are thought to be indicative of a heritable resistance to pathogens. A meta-analysis by Moller, Christe and Lux reviewed studies exploring the magnitude of the relationship between expression of secondary sexual characters and parasite intensity, as well as host immune function. Consistent with the hypothesis proposed by Hamilton and Zuk, the meta-analysis revealed that males with the fewest parasites and/or the strongest immune systems typically had the most extravagant secondary sexual characteristics.