Naked Mole-Rat Queens Prevent Rival Reproduction

Naked mole-rat queens release a special chemical. This chemical stops other females in their group from having babies. A new study tells us how this works. It was published today in the journal Nature.

The study shows that the chemical changes hormones in other female mole-rats. This change stops them from reproducing. A scientist from Canada, Melissa Holmes, says this study is important. It answers the question of why only one female can have babies in a naked mole-rat colony.

Naked mole-rats live in groups. They are unique because their social structure is rare among mammals. The queen has all the babies. Other females help care for the young and find food. All females can become queens, but most cannot because their bodies are not ready.

In the study, scientists found a chemical called isopropyl myristate in queen mole-rats. This chemical was not found in other females. When other females smelled this chemical, it stopped them from reproducing. This shows how the queen keeps her position.

How much do you know?

What does the chemical released by naked mole-rat queens do?

Stops all males from reproducing

Stops other females from having babies

Increases the size of the colony

Makes the queen stronger

In which journal was the study about naked mole-rats published?

Science

Nature

Journal of Mammalogy

Animal Behavior

Who conducted the study on naked mole-rats?

Melissa Holmes from Canada

John Smith from the USA

Anna Lee from Australia

David Brown from the UK

What is unique about the social structure of naked mole-rats?

They are solitary animals

Only one female reproduces

They form large nomadic groups

Males care for the young

What chemical was found in queen mole-rats?

Isopropyl myristate

Estrogen

Progesterone

Testosterone

What role do other females have in the naked mole-rat colony?

They become queens immediately

They compete with the queen

They help care for the young and find food

They leave the colony

Naked mole-rat queens can reproduce at any time.

True False

All females in a naked mole-rat group can become queens.

True False

The chemical in queen mole-rats was found in other females.

True False

The study confirms that the queen keeps her position through a chemical mechanism.

True False

Naked mole-rats live a solitary lifestyle.

True False

Other females stop reproducing when they smell the queen's chemical.

True False

The chemical released by naked mole-rat queens stops other females from having babies and changes their hormones.

The study reveals why only one female can have babies in a naked mole-rat .

Other females assist in caring for the young and food.

The chemical isopropyl myristate was found in queen mole-rats but in other females.

A scientist named Melissa Holmes states that this study is because it answers important questions.

Naked mole-rat queens maintain their through the release of a special chemical.

This question is required