FeedingGuilds: Difference between revisions
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= Feeding Guilds = | = 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."<ref name="sumich">Sumich, James L. An Introduction to the Biology of Marine Life, Seventh Edition. WCB/McGraw Hill. 1999.</ref> All organisms can be divided into three different categories: producers, consumers, and decomposers. <ref name="sumich" /><ref>Tackett, Denise and Larry. <b>Reef Life: Natural History and Behaviors of Marine Fishes and Invertebrates</b>. Neptune City, NJ: T.F.H Publications, 2002, p. 117-118. Print.</ref> | 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."<ref name="sumich">Sumich, James L. An Introduction to the Biology of Marine Life, Seventh Edition. WCB/McGraw Hill. 1999.</ref> All organisms can be divided into three different categories: producers, consumers, and decomposers. <ref name="sumich" /><ref name="tackett">Tackett, Denise and Larry. <b>Reef Life: Natural History and Behaviors of Marine Fishes and Invertebrates</b>. Neptune City, NJ: T.F.H Publications, 2002, p. 117-118. Print.</ref> | ||
===Autotrophs === | ===Autotrophs === | ||
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Omnivores consume both autotrophs and other heterotrophs. | Omnivores consume both autotrophs and other heterotrophs. | ||
===== Filter/Suspension feeders===== | |||
===== Planktivores===== | ===== Planktivores===== | ||
===== Opportunistic feeders===== | ===== Opportunistic feeders===== | ||
===== Parasites===== | ===== Parasites===== | ||
Revision as of 12:32, 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 primary producers, "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.
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.
Filter/Suspension feeders
Planktivores
Opportunistic feeders
Parasites
Detritivores
Detritovores are decomposers like bacteria that feed upon the waste products and dead remains of other organisms. [1]