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Detritivores (also known as saprophages, detrivores or detritus feeders) are organisms that recycle detritus (decomposing organic material), returning it into the food chain.

Examples


Earthworms are a well-known example of detritus feeders, eating rotting plant leaves and other debris. Some detritus feeders, such as dung beetles, eat feces, which often contains a considerable nutrient load. The detritus may already have been partially or fully decomposed by decomposers.

Groups of detritivorous animals include:

See also


External links


Eating behaviors

Détritivore | Grotæta | Детритофаги

 

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the "Detritivore".

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