Detritivore
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Detritivores (also known as saprophages, detrivores or detritus feeders) are organisms that recycle detritus (decomposing organic material), returning it into the food chain.
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: millipedes, woodlice, dung beetles, dung flies and burying beetles.
