What are the living beings decomposed: examples

What are the living beings decomposed: examples

By Dr. Kyle Muller

Living beings can be classified and distinguished in many different ways: depending on the way they reproduce, the environment in which they live or the way in which it moves, for example, if however, one of the ways of classifying them is depending on the function they perform in the food chain.

According to these criteria, we can distinguish between producing organisms, consumers and decomposing. Do you want to know What are the living beings decomposing with examples? In the following ecology article, we explain it to you, as well as the different types that exist and some of the most significant examples.

Decomponers: definition

Living beings decomposed are different organisms that have as its main function Take advantage of organic energy and matter that are in the remains of dead plants and animals. The two main types of living beings decomposed are fungi and bacteria, however, as you will see later, there are many other types.

Its name indicates the function they perform: decompose. That is, when an organism dies, these living beings break down the organic matter of their body and They make it inorganic matterthat will pass to the earth and will serve for the food chain to emerge again. This happens because they release inorganic matter that will help grow plants and other organism. We could say that decomposers They are the last link in the food chainin turn, they are also the first link in the life cycle.

Next we will talk about the different types of living beings, speaking of the differences between them. In addition, we will explain what is the function of the decomponers and what function they fulfill in the ecosystem.

What are the living beings decomposers: examples - decomponers: definition

Types of decomponers

Insects and arachnids

There are many insects and arachnids involved in the decomposition of the bodies, including several genres, for example, some lice, spiders or mites. Also the mosquito larvae, which feed on these decomposition matters. Finally, flies, moscards, beetles or fruit flies also intervene in the decomposition. Each of them plays a different role in the decomposition of matter. Appearing at some time or another of the decomposition process. For example, moscards appear only at the beginning of decomposition, putting their eggs there that, when they become larvae, contribute to decomposing it.

Bacteria

Bacteria are microorganisms that can be found almost anywhere: earth, sea, air and even inside living organisms. The function of bacteria, within the process of decomposition of matter, is to recycle in nutrients that will serve for plants carbon molecules.

Fungus

They can decompose different types of dead matter, whether leaves, plants or fecal matter. These fungi absorb nutrients from this matter in a very peculiar way. The saprobes, the main decomponing fungi, first release an enzyme in dead matter and subsequently absorb those nutrients they want. Among the saprobes we find shitake, a type of edible mushroom widely used in Japanese gastonomy or the typical aquatic mold that can be observed in ponds and lakes.

Other decomponers

There are other decomponeers that do not enter the previous categories, such as slugs that are mollusks, or worms, which are annelid. In both cases they find in the decomposition matter a site where to feed, in turn, when they excrete it comes into food for plants.

What are the living beings decomposing: examples - types of decomponers

Decomposers in the ecosystem

Decomposing animals are usually a very basic type of organism, however, they have a Key function in the food chain and inside an ecosystem. Its function is to clean and reuse waste from producing animals and consumers decomposing their remains. That is, they are responsible for absorbing and reuseing the substances of organic matter left by plants and animals when they die.

As we have seen in the previous section, the bacteria and fungi are the main decomposers However, there are other types. Each of them in a different time and in a different way, the decomposers undo the remains until they turn it into inorganic matter.

Those who are within the body of living beings act in the Carbon dioxide recyclingan element used by plants during photosynties. In addition, they take advantage of their waste, fulfilling a basic function in the ecosystem and balancing the environment. When they die, they break it to turn them into inorganic matter and that the life cycle is restarted.

Decomponent organisms: examples

Here are the Examples of living beings Decomponers:

  • Worms
  • Slugs.
  • Moscardones
  • CORI INSECT.
  • Diptera insect.
  • Calliphoridae insect.
  • Trichoceridae insect.
  • Insect saprophytes.
  • Aranea insect.
  • Silphidae insect.
  • Hysteridae insect.
  • Shiitake fungi.
  • Nematodes
  • Pseudomonas bacteria.
  • Flaotobacter bacteria.
  • Achromobacter bacteria.
  • Actinobacter bacteria.
  • Aquatic mold fungi.
  • Mucor fungi.
  • Mushroom fungi.
  • Beetles.

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Kyle Muller
About the author
Dr. Kyle Muller
Dr. Kyle Mueller is a Research Analyst at the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department in Houston, Texas. He earned his Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Texas State University in 2019, where his dissertation was supervised by Dr. Scott Bowman. Dr. Mueller's research focuses on juvenile justice policies and evidence-based interventions aimed at reducing recidivism among youth offenders. His work has been instrumental in shaping data-driven strategies within the juvenile justice system, emphasizing rehabilitation and community engagement.
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