0 an organism such as a bacterium or fungus that makes dead plant and animal material decay --
1 an organism such as some types of bacteria or fungi that feeds on dead plant and animal material and causes it to decay --
Fungi are examples of saprobiontic organisms also known as decomposers.
The greater humidity allows fungi and other decomposers to flourish.
What is left behind by the detritivores is then further broken down and recycled by decomposers, such as bacteria and fungi.
This ink cap species is a decomposer which can be found in grassy areas, alone, scattered or in small groups.
If it had feeding habits similar to the majority of apterygotes of today, it lived mostly as a decomposer.
Since then there have been several other reports of ectomycorrhizal fungi reducing activity and decomposition rates of free-living decomposers and thereby increasing soil carbon storage.
The mechanism presented is that ectomycorrhizal fungi can compete with free-living decomposers for nutrients, and thereby limit the rate of total decomposition.
This study shows the variety of ways in which differences in foraging behaviour, body size, and life history among termite species in this decomposer community can influence decomposition.
