In any ecosystem, just as there are trophic chains where there are plant-producing organisms (there are no producing animals) and consuming animals, there is also a trophic detritivorous chain, whose objective is to transform all organic matter from the other. food chain, in inorganic matter, causing these compounds to be absorbed by plants again. In this chain we find decaying or detritivorous beings, some of which are decaying animals, although most are fungi or bacteria.
In this article by Animal Expert, we will see what decomposing beings are and the importance of their role in the ecosystem.
- Decomposing beings are heterotrophs that feed on decaying organic matter or waste from other animals.
- Such as faeces.
- These organisms are also called saprophages.
- Decomposition is a natural process necessary in ecosystems for the renewal of matter and energy.
- It is performed by a multiplicity of organisms.
- Many of which are decaying bacteria or chemorgytrophicic organisms because they obtain energy through chemical reactions.
- Using as a substrate decaying organic matter.
In any ecosystem, there is a food chair where you can find producers, consumers and decomposers. The latter act after the death of the producing beings and several consumer beings.
The organic matter of producers and consumers (faeces, biomass and other waste excreted by the body) serves as food for decomposers such as fungi and bacteria, being its source of energy and nutrients.
The role of decomposers in the ecological balance of an ecosystem is critical. They play an extremely important role in ecological balance, as they transform organic matter into inorganic matter, thus returning nutrients to the environment. This will allow these nutrients to be reused by other beings that will produce a new organic matter.
In short, decomposing beings are responsible for recycling organic matter in the food chain.
There are mainly three types of decomposers, classified by the origin of decaying organic matter, whether a corpse or parts of it, dead plant matter or faeces. According to this, the types we found are:
They feed on debris or parts of plants that accumulate in the soil, such as leaves, roots, branches or fruits, and then decompose and then form humus, which is a soil rich in organic matter.
These organisms feed on decaying corpses or parts of the animals’ bodies. This action is usually initiated by bacteria that facilitate the assimilation of organic matter to decaying animals.
They are organisms, mainly fungi and decaying animals, that feed on organic matter that can still be assimilated from faeces.
The definition of decomposing animals is none other than
Living beings belonging to the animal kingdom that feed on decaying organic matter.
We found decomposing animals in the invertebrate group and in the vertebrate group. Among the first, perhaps the most important group are insects, of many types, such as flies, wasps or beetles. Where we find more examples of vertebrate animals divided into groups of mammals and birds.
On the other hand, the abundance of this type of animals varies according to the climate. For example, decaying animals in the desert are rare, only a few invertebrates. Wet areas have the greatest diversity of these organisms, and decomposing animals in the forest have the greatest diversity.
Here is a list of examples of decomposing animals categorized by type:
If you would like to read articles similar to, we recommend that you visit our Curiosities section of the animal world.