Human core body temperature evolved as an optimal trade-off against fungal infections

the verdict

SUPPORTED

the evidence backs this

Recorded sources

3 sources for · 0 against

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Is it true that human core body temperature evolved as an optimal trade-off against fungal infections?

Yes. Evidence supports the hypothesis that mammalian endothermy and high core body temperatures evolved as an optimal trade-off providing a thermal exclusion zone against fungal infections.

Verdict: SUPPORTED · 3 sources for, 0 against · Last checked 4 Aug 2026

The analysis

Papers 2, 5, and 10 explicitly discuss how mammalian endothermy and high body temperatures function as a thermal restriction zone protecting against fungal pathogens, with paper 5 specifically modeling this as an evolutionary trade-off between metabolic costs and fungal disease resistance. No papers refute the claim.

Evidence for · 3

Immunity to Invasive Fungal Diseases.

2022

States that elevated temperatures create a thermal restriction zone protecting mammals from most fungal species.

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Casadevall, A. (2022). Immunity to Invasive Fungal Diseases.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-immunol-101220-034306

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More for · 2

Mammalian Endothermy Optimally Restricts Fungi and Metabolic Costs

2010

Demonstrates through mathematical modeling that mammalian endothermy optimizes the trade-off between the metabolic costs of maintaining high body temperature and the fitness benefit of a thermal exclusion zone against fungal disease.

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Bergman, A. & Casadevall, A. (2010). Mammalian Endothermy Optimally Restricts Fungi and Metabolic Costs. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.00212-10

Don't Forget the Fungi When Considering Global Catastrophic Biorisks

2017

Explains that low mammalian susceptibility to fungal diseases is largely determined by the thermal gradient acting as a protective barrier against environmental fungi.

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Casadevall, A. (2017). Don't Forget the Fungi When Considering Global Catastrophic Biorisks. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1089/hs.2017.0048

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Receipt History

first checked04 Aug 2026

judged → SUPPORTED · 8804 Aug 2026

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