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Detritivore animals

84 species

Detritivores (also known as detrivores, detritophages, detritus feeders, or detritus eaters) are organisms that obtain nutrients by consuming detritus (decomposing plant and animal parts as well as feces). There are many kinds of invertebrates, vertebrates, and plants that carry out coprophagy. By doing so, all these detritivores contribute to decomposition and the nutrient cycles. They should be distinguished from other decomposers, such as many species of bacteria, fungi, and protists, which are unable to ingest discrete lumps of matter, but instead, live by absorbing and metabolizing on a molecular scale (saprotrophic nutrition). Detritivores are usually arthropods and help in the process of remineralization. Detritivores are also an important aspect of many ecosystems. They can live on any type of soil with an organic component, including marine ecosystems, where they are termed interchangeably with bottom feeders.

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Detritivores (also known as detrivores, detritophages, detritus feeders, or detritus eaters) are organisms that obtain nutrients by consuming detritus (decomposing plant and animal parts as well as feces). There are many kinds of invertebrates, vertebrates, and plants that carry out coprophagy. By doing so, all these detritivores contribute to decomposition and the nutrient cycles. They should be distinguished from other decomposers, such as many species of bacteria, fungi, and protists, which are unable to ingest discrete lumps of matter, but instead, live by absorbing and metabolizing on a molecular scale (saprotrophic nutrition). Detritivores are usually arthropods and help in the process of remineralization. Detritivores are also an important aspect of many ecosystems. They can live on any type of soil with an organic component, including marine ecosystems, where they are termed interchangeably with bottom feeders.

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Blue mussel

The blue mussel (Mytilus edulis ), also known as the common mussel, is a medium-sized edible marine bivalve mollusc in the family Mytilidae, the mussels. Blue mussels are subject to commercial use and intensive aquaculture. A species with a large...

New Zealand mud snail

New Zealand mud snail

Potamopyrgus antipodarum

The New Zealand mud snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum ) is a species of very small freshwater snail with a gill and an operculum. This aquatic gastropod mollusk is in the family Tateidae.It is native to New Zealand, where it is found throughout the...

Donax variabilis

Donax variabilis

Donax variabilis

Donax variabilis, known by the common name coquina, is a species of small edible saltwater clam, a marine bivalve mollusc in the family Donacidae, the bean clams. It is a warm water species which occurs in shallow water on sandy beaches on the east...

Dwarf wedgemussel

Dwarf wedgemussel

Alasmidonta heterodon

The dwarf wedgemussel (Alasmidonta heterodon ) is an endangered species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.

Florida bog frog

Florida bog frog

Lithobates okaloosae

The Florida bog frog (Lithobates okaloosae ) is a rare species of frog found only in western Florida.

Epioblasma triquetra

Epioblasma triquetra

Epioblasma triquetra

Epioblasma triquetra, common name the snuffbox mussel, is a species of freshwater mussel, a mollusk in the family Unionidae. It is native to eastern North America, where it is a listed as an endangered species in both Canada and the United States.

Lampsilis fasciola

Lampsilis fasciola

Lampsilis fasciola

Lampsilis fasciola, the wavy-rayed lampmussel, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.

Epioblasma torulosa

Epioblasma torulosa

Epioblasma torulosa

Epioblasma torulosa, commonly called the tubercled blossom, is a species of freshwater mussel, a mollusk in the family Unionidae. It is native to eastern North America, where it is considered endangered in both Canada and the United States.

Villosa iris

Villosa iris, the rainbow mussel or rainbow-shell, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.

Salamander mussel

Salamander mussel

Simpsonaias ambigua

Simpsonaias ambigua, the salamander mussel or mudpuppy mussel, is a species of bivalve in the family Unionidae. It is unique among freshwater mussels in using mudpuppies as its glochidial host. It is the only freshwater mussel known to have a...

Ptychobranchus fasciolaris

Ptychobranchus fasciolaris

Ptychobranchus fasciolaris

Ptychobranchus fasciolaris is a species of freshwater mussel in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. Its common name is kidneyshell.

Arion subfuscus

Arion subfuscus

Arion subfuscus

Arion subfuscus is a species of land slug. It forms a species complex with Arion fuscus.

Lampsilis siliquoidea

Lampsilis siliquoidea

Lampsilis siliquoidea

Lampsilis siliquoidea, also known as the fatmucket clam, is a species of freshwater bivalve in the family Unionidae.

Epioblasma obliquata

Epioblasma obliquata

Epioblasma obliquata

Epioblasma obliquata, commonly called the catspaw, is a species of freshwater mussel. It is native to eastern North America, where it is classified as Endangered under the Endangered Species Act.

Amblema plicata

Amblema plicata

Amblema plicata

Amblema plicata, common name the threeridge, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.

Pleurobema clava

Pleurobema clava

Pleurobema clava

Pleurobema clava, the clubshell, club naiad or clubshell pearly mussel, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.This species is endemic to the United States.Clubshells prefer clean,...

Ligumia nasuta

Sagittunio nasutus, the eastern pondmussel, is a species of freshwater mussel in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.This species is native to the eastern United States and Ontario, Canada. Only two populations are known from Canada. Like many...

Elktoe

Alasmidonta marginata

The elktoe (Alasmidonta marginata ) is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. This species is found in southeastern Canada and the eastern United States. Like many mussels, it is...

Lampsilis cardium

Lampsilis cardium

Lampsilis cardium

Lampsilis cardium is a species of freshwater mussel in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. It is known commonly as the plain pocketbook. It is widespread in eastern North America, where it is native to the Mississippi River and Great Lakes...

Leptodea leptodon

Leptodea leptodon

Leptodea leptodon

Leptodea leptodon, the scaleshell mussel or scale shell, is a species of freshwater mussel in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. This aquatic bivalve mollusk has disappeared from much of its historical range. It is endemic to the United...

Plethobasus cyphyus

Plethobasus cyphyus

Plethobasus cyphyus

Plethobasus cyphyus, the sheepnose mussel, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.This species is endemic to the Midwest and Southeast United States. It is currently listed as...

Potamilus alatus

Potamilus alatus

Potamilus alatus

Potamilus alatus, the pink heelsplitter, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, commonly known as the river mussels.This species is native to eastern North America. It is found in the drainages of the...

Quadrula quadrula

Quadrula quadrula

Quadrula quadrula

Quadrula quadrula, the mapleleaf, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.The thick shell is about as broad as it is long with heavy hinge teeth. The outside may be yellowish green to...

Villosa fabalis

Villosa fabalis

Villosa fabalis

Villosa fabalis, the rayed bean, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.

Lampsilis cariosa

Lampsilis cariosa

Lampsilis cariosa

Lampsilis cariosa, the yellow lampmussel, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.Its natural habitat is rivers.

Obovaria subrotunda

Obovaria subrotunda

Obovaria subrotunda

Obovaria subrotunda, common name the round hickorynut, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.

Pleurobema sintoxia

Pleurobema sintoxia

Pleurobema sintoxia

Pleurobema sintoxia, the round pigtoe, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.

Lasmigona costata

Lasmigona costata

Lasmigona costata

Lasmigona costata, the flutedshell, is a species of freshwater mussel. It is an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae.

Alasmidonta viridis

Alasmidonta viridis

Alasmidonta viridis

Alasmidonta viridis, the slippershell mussel, is a species of mussel in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. It is native to the United States.Alasmidonta viridis is most commonly found throughout Miami during November to March.

Ellipsaria lineolata

Ellipsaria lineolata

Ellipsaria lineolata

Ellipsaria lineolata is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. This is the sole species in the monotypic genus Ellipsaria . This species is native to the drainage systems of the...

Obovaria olivaria

Obovaria olivaria

Obovaria olivaria

Obovaria olivaria is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. It is commonly referred to as "hickorynut."This species is native to eastern North America. It is found in the drainages of...

Truncilla truncata

Truncilla truncata

Truncilla truncata

Truncilla truncata, the deertoe, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae.

Lasmigona compressa

Lasmigona compressa

Lasmigona compressa

Lasmigona compressa, the creek heelsplitter, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve in the family Unionidae.This species is found in the northern region of North America. It is native to the Canadian interior basin, and the drainages...

Ligumia recta

Ligumia recta is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels. This species is found in eastern North America. It is native to the drainages of the Mississippi River, the drainages of the...

Obliquaria reflexa

Obliquaria reflexa

Obliquaria reflexa

Obliquaria reflexa, common name the threehorn wartyback or three-horn wartyback, is a species of freshwater mussel, an aquatic bivalve mollusk in the family Unionidae, the river mussels.

Bohadschia argus

Bohadschia argus

Bohadschia argus

Bohadschia argus, the leopard sea cucumber, leopardfish, or tigerfish, is a species of marine invertebrate in the family Holothuriidae.

Panulirus argus

Panulirus argus

Panulirus argus

Panulirus argus, the Caribbean spiny lobster, is a species of spiny lobster that lives on reefs and in mangrove swamps in the western Atlantic Ocean.

Blackchin tilapia

Blackchin tilapia

Sarotherodon melanotheron

The blackchin tilapia (Sarotherodon melanotheron) is a species of cichlid native to coastal west Africa. It is a paternal mouthbrooder which has been introduced to Asia and North America.In the Philippines, it is also informally called gloria or...

Illacme plenipes

Illacme plenipes

Illacme plenipes

Illacme plenipes is a siphonorhinid millipede found in the central region of the U.S. state of California. It has up to 750 legs. One of three known species in the genus Illacme, it was first seen in 1926, but was not rediscovered until 2005, almost...

White sucker

Catostomus commersonii

The white sucker (Catostomus commersonii) is a species of freshwater cypriniform fish inhabiting the upper Midwest and Northeast in North America, but it is also found as far south as Georgia and as far west as New Mexico. The fish is commonly known...

Lophelia

Lophelia

Lophelia pertusa

Lophelia pertusa, the only species in the genus Lophelia, is a cold-water coral that grows in the deep waters throughout the North Atlantic ocean, as well as parts of the Caribbean Sea and Alboran Sea. Although L. pertusa reefs are home to a diverse...

Thelenota ananas

Thelenota ananas

Thelenota ananas

Thelenota ananas, also known as pineapple sea cucumber, oloturia ananas, tripang, prickly skin cucumber, pointed teat sea cucumber, armoured sea cucumber, giant sea cucumber, sand fish or prickly redfish, is a species of sea cucumber found in...

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