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Naked mole-rat queens produce an odorous chemical that ensures that only they can reproduce
Jul 15, 2026
Physics org

Naked mole-rat queens produce an odorous chemical that ensures that only they can reproduce

Dr. Gary Lewin and his team discovered that naked mole-rat queens release a chemical called isopropyl myristate to stop other females from reproducing. "It works even when the queen is absent and the animals are exposed only to the scent," said Dr. Mohammed Khallaf. This scent keeps the colony organized.