Which term denotes organisms that rely on detritus as a food source?

• A. Omnivore
• B. Herbivore
• C. Carnivore
• D. Detritivore

Answer: (D)

Detritus is dead organic matter and waste. Organisms that rely on detritus as a food source are detritivores. They feed on material such as decomposing leaves, feces, and dead organisms, breaking it into smaller particles and helping to speed up decomposition and nutrient cycling. This role is different from herbivores, which eat living plant tissue, carnivores, which eat other animals, and omnivores, which eat both plants and animals. Classic examples include earthworms and woodlice. In ecosystems, detritivores are key for recycling nutrients: they convert dead matter into smaller pieces that microbes can further break down, making nutrients available to plants and the rest of the food web.