mermithergate
English edit
Etymology edit
From New Latin mermithergata, from Ancient Greek μέρμις (mérmis, “cord, string”) + ἐργάτης (ergátēs, “worker”).
Noun edit
mermithergate (plural mermithergates)
- (entomology) A worker ant that is deformed by parasitic nematodes.
- 2003, Edward O. Wilson, Pheidole in the New World: A Dominant, Hyperdiverse Ant Genus:
- The normal worker castes of Pheidole gouldi are depicted in comparison with a mermithergate: side view of the body of a mermithergate, with the Mermis nematode visible through the intersegmental membranes of its gaster […]