# Naked Mole-Rat Queens Use Chemical Signals to Suppress Rivals' Fertility The queen employs olfactory cues to maintain colony order. - **Source:** [Ars Technica - All content](https://brifing.si/source/b728770c-8dda-457a-8986-84879c9fc42c) - **Published:** 2026-07-21 - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/64aed009-3360-4159-8ade-c9997f86ee4c ## Unique Traits of Naked Mole Rats Naked mole rats are unique creatures that live underground, rarely develop cancer, and can survive without oxygen for extended periods. They also exhibit eusocial behavior, with only one female in the colony able to breed. ## The Queen's Role The queen in the colony suppresses the fertility of other females to maintain order. While this process was long associated with violence, new findings reveal a different mechanism. ## Discovery of Olfactory Signals Researchers at the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine in Berlin discovered that the queen uses chemical olfactory signals to inhibit the fertility of other females, showcasing a sophisticated scent-based system. ## Importance of Smell Naked mole rats possess around 1200 olfactory receptor genes, far more than mice or humans. Being blind, smell is a critical sense for their survival and navigation. ## Research Details Scientists examined how the queen's chemical signals suppress the reproductive abilities of other females. This finding provides new insights into reproductive strategies in eusocial species. ## Scientific Significance This discovery is a significant step in understanding the social structure and reproductive control mechanisms in naked mole rats. It also opens avenues for studying similar processes in other eusocial species. ## Sources covering this story - https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/07/naked-mole-rat-queens-keep-their-colonies-in-line-with-a-scent/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._