Gongylidia (singulargongylidium) arehyphal swellings of fungus cultivated by higher-attine genera offungus-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 (calledstaphylae).[4]
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