A new Nature report says naked mole-rat queens prevent other females in the colony from reproducing by releasing a distinctive chemical scent. The finding points to a direct biological mechanism behind the queen’s control over breeding.
According to the report, the effect appears to come from a single chemical produced only by the queen. When other females are exposed to that scent, their hormone production changes in a way that suppresses their ability to reproduce.
The study helps explain how one female can maintain reproductive dominance while the rest of the colony remains non-breeding. Rather than relying only on physical dominance or behavior, the queen’s scent seems to influence the biology of potential rivals.
The discovery offers a clearer picture of how reproduction is controlled in naked mole-rat societies. It also highlights how chemical communication can shape hormones and social order in animals.
