1. Deposit Feeders: Deposit feeders live on or in the sediment and feed on organic particles and detritus that have settled on the seafloor. Examples include polychaetes, amphipods, bivalves, and echinoderms like sea cucumbers.
2. Filter Feeders: Filter feeders collect and filter suspended organic particles from the water column. Common examples are barnacles, mussels, clams, bryozoans, and tunicates. Some fish, such as anchovies and sardines, are also filter feeders.
3. Scavengers: Scavengers feed on dead or dying animals and organic matter. Vultures of the sea include seabirds like gulls and albatrosses, certain fish species such as sharks and hagfish, and large marine mammals like sperm whales.
4. Bacteria and Fungi: Bacteria and fungi are essential decomposers in the ocean. They break down organic matter into simpler compounds, releasing nutrients back into the water.
5. Deep-Sea Detritivores: The deep ocean is home to unique detritivores adapted to the extreme conditions of darkness, high pressure, and cold temperatures. These include sea urchins, sea stars, and various meiofauna and macrofauna organisms.
6. Wood Borers: Certain marine organisms specialize in breaking down wood debris in the ocean. These include shipworms (bivalves) and gribbles (isopods).
The diversity of detritivores in the ocean contributes to the overall health and functioning of marine ecosystems. They help maintain nutrient cycles, support the food chain, and facilitate the decomposition of organic matter, ensuring a balanced and productive ocean environment.
