TERMIUM Plus®

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detritivore [1 record]

Record 1 2009-10-27

English

Subject field(s)
  • Ecology (General)
  • Animal Behaviour
CONT

When dead plants and animals decay, their remains often form small particles called detritus. A detritivorous animal, or detritus feeder, is an animal that feeds on these particles. Detritivores are common on the seafloor, and include animals such as sea cucumbers and brittlestars.

OBS

"Scavenger" can also refer to organisms that feed on dead animal matter.

French

Domaine(s)
  • Écologie (Généralités)
  • Comportement animal
DEF

Catégorie d'êtres vivants qui se nourrissent de détritus d'origine végétale ou animale constituant la matière organique morte.

CONT

On distingue plusieurs catégories de détritivores selon qu'ils consomment de la matière organique en voie de décomposition (saprophages), des excréments (coprophages), des cadavres (nécrophages), ou encore de la matière organique en voie d'humification (géophages) [...]

Spanish

Campo(s) temático(s)
  • Ecología (Generalidades)
  • Comportamiento animal
DEF

Organismo que se alimenta de materia orgánica muerta.

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