An organism that feeds on detritus (dead organic matter), including dead plant and animal material, feces, and other organic waste. They physically break down organic matter before decomposers complete the chemical breakdown.
From Latin 'detritus' (worn down) and '-vore' from Latin 'vorare' (to devour). The term was coined in ecology to distinguish organisms that eat dead matter from those that decompose it chemically.
Detritivores are nature's cleanup crew, but they're doing much more than just tidying up! By shredding and processing dead organic matter, they create smaller pieces that decomposer bacteria and fungi can work on more efficiently, dramatically speeding up nutrient recycling.
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