detritivore
[ dih-trahy-tuh-vawr, -vohr ]
/ dɪˈtraɪ təˌvɔr, -ˌvoʊr /
noun Ecology.
an organism that uses organic waste as a food source, as certain insects.
Nearby words
detribalize, detriment, detrimental, detrimentally, detrition, detritivore, detritovore, detritus, detroit, detrude, detruncate
Origin of detritivore
Related formsdet·ri·tiv·or·ous [de-truh-tiv-er-uh s] /ˌdɛ trəˈtɪv ər əs/, de·triv·or·ous [dih-triv-er-uh s] /dɪˈtrɪv ər əs/, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Science definitions for detritivore
detritivore
[ dĭ-trī′tə-vôr′ ]
An organism that feeds on and breaks down dead plant or animal matter, returning essential nutrients to the ecosystem. Detritivores include microorganisms such as bacteria and protists as well as larger organisms such as fungi, insects, worms, and isopod crustaceans. In a food chain, detritivores are primary consumers. Compare carnivore herbivore.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.