FeedingGuilds: Difference between revisions
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=== Heterotrophs === | === Heterotrophs === | ||
=== Herbivores=== | Heterotrophs are consumers that feed upon other organisms. | ||
=== Carnivores=== | |||
=== Omnivores=== | ==== Herbivores=== | ||
Herbivores feed directly upon autotrophs. | |||
==== Carnivores==== | |||
Carnivores feed upon other animals. | |||
==== Omnivores==== | |||
Omnivores consume both autotrophs and other heterotrophs. | |||
=== Detritivores=== | === Detritivores=== | ||
Detritovores are decomposers like bacteria that feed upon the waste products and dead remains of other organisms. <ref name="sumich" /> | |||
=== Filter/Suspension feeders=== | === Filter/Suspension feeders=== | ||
=== Planktivores=== | === Planktivores=== | ||
Revision as of 12:29, 28 May 2013
Feeding Guilds
The "[relationship] between different organisms can be described by their trophic associations." On the most fundamental level, trophic associations describe "what an organism eats and what eats it."[1] All organisms can be divided into three different categories: producers, consumers, and decomposers. [1][2]
Autotrophs
Autotrophs are "self-nourishing organisms capable of absorbing solar energy and photosynthetically building high-energy organic substances" [1] A classic example of an autotroph on the reef are zooxanthellae. Autotrophs are the primary producers in the marine environment.
Heterotrophs
Heterotrophs are consumers that feed upon other organisms.
= Herbivores
Herbivores feed directly upon autotrophs.
Carnivores
Carnivores feed upon other animals.
Omnivores
Omnivores consume both autotrophs and other heterotrophs.
Detritivores
Detritovores are decomposers like bacteria that feed upon the waste products and dead remains of other organisms. [1]