Gallicolous

/ɡəˈlɪkələs/ adjective

Definition

Living or dwelling in plant galls; referring to organisms that make their homes in abnormal plant growths.

Etymology

From Latin 'galla' (gall) + '-colous' (variant of '-cole,' meaning dwelling in). This variant suffix form is used in scientific nomenclature and comes from Latin 'colere' (to dwell, inhabit).

Kelly Says

Oak galls can contain entire ecosystems—hyperparasites that eat parasites that eat the plant tissue create a Russian-nesting-doll situation of gallicolous life, with scientists still discovering new species inside centuries-old galls.

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