Gongylidia

Gongylidia (singular gongylidium) are

hyphal swellings of fungus cultivated by higher-attine genera of fungus-growing ants

. This fungus no longer exists naturally outside the ant colonies.

Developing larvae feed on the gongylidia and distributed throughout the colony to feed workers, soldiers, and the queen.[1] They are ellipsoid, about 30-50 micrometres in diameter,^[2] rich in lipids and carbohydrates derived from the leaves,^[3] and are produced in clusters (called staphylae).^[4]

References

^ Raupp, Michael J. (February 12, 2007). "Bug of the Week". Archived from the original on 2011-07-20. Retrieved 2019-12-31.
^ Gover, D.W. "Fungal Agriculture and Engineering in Ants" (PDF).
PMID 11544360
. Retrieved 2021-01-14.

^ "Integrative Biology" (PDF). Biosci.utexas.edu. Retrieved 2015-11-06.

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Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Gongylidia&oldid=1177639079"

[1] Raupp, Michael J. (February 12, 2007). "Bug of the Week". Archived from the original on 2011-07-20. Retrieved 2019-12-31.

[2] Gover, D.W. "Fungal Agriculture and Engineering in Ants" (PDF).

[3] PMID 11544360
. Retrieved 2021-01-14.

[4] "Integrative Biology" (PDF). Biosci.utexas.edu. Retrieved 2015-11-06.

[2]

[3]

[4]

See also

References