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NALT Full

Natural Resources, Conservation, Environment
ecology
trophic relationships
heterotrophs
saprotrophs
detritivores

Preferred term

detritivores

Type

Organism

Definition

An organism (plant or animal) that feeds on the organic remains or other organic debris from autotrophic (mostly plant) organisms.
Source: Schwarz, Charles F.; Thor, Edward C.; Elsner, Gary H. 1976. Wildland planning glossary. Gen. Tech. Rep. PSW-13. Berkeley, Calif.: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Exp. Stn. 252 p.
Type: Concept definition

Broader concept

saprotrophs

Related concepts

Synonyms

detritivory
detritophagy
detritus feeders
detrivores
saprophages
saprophagy
saprovores

Scope note

Use for fauna that feed on dead or decaying organic matter; For insects feeding on dead animals USE carrion insects; For plants, fungi or other microorganisms living on dead or decaying organic matter USE saprophytes.

In other languages

detriboros

Spanish

URI

https://lod.nal.usda.gov/nalt/105841

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