AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Millipede Detritivore. While decomposers break down dead, organic materials, detritivores-like millipedes, earthworms, and termites-eat dead organisms and wastes.

Detailed explanation-2: -So a detritivore eats dead plants and animals. Animals classified as scavengers also eat dead matter, but on a larger scale. Detritivores are an essential part of the food chain because they help to break down dead plant or animal matter.

Detailed explanation-3: -Detritivores (also known as detrivores, detritophages, detritus feeders, or detritus eaters) are heterotrophs 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.

Detailed explanation-4: -Saprophytes are organisms that feed on dead or decaying matter. They cannot manufacture their own food.

Detailed explanation-5: -Humans could not exist without the work of detritivores. The important role of detritivore animals is to eat decaying plant and animal matter, feed on feces, pig out on dead plants, and lunch on decaying leaves. Detritivores are a vital part of the food chain.