Highlights Salk scientists find naked mole rat colonies are capable of peaceful queen succession, contrary to established understanding that succession is aggressive The study illuminates a new layer of social complexity for naked mole rats, which are important models in biomedical research on socialization, aging, adaptation, fertility, and more The findings also help answer broader questions about biological resilience, potentially revealing principles that can explain human health and disease LA JOLLA—Naked mole rats keep kingdoms underground. One queen bears all the children, while others maintain complex subterranean tunnels, forage for food, take care of newborns, and perform other necessary upkeep. This society hinges on the central pillar of a singular queen. What happens when her fertility declines or is impaired?
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