Environmental Studies

A Dictionary of Ecology A Dictionary of Zoology A Dictionary of Plant Sciences Further reading

saprophage

A Dictionary of Ecology | 2004 | | Copyright

saprophage An organism that consumes other, dead, organisms. Saprophages form part of the twofold division of the heterotrophs (organisms that feed on other organisms) and consist mainly of bacteria and fungi, but also some invertebrate animals, such as insect larvae. They break down complex compounds obtained from dead organisms, absorbing some of the simpler products, but releasing most of the products as inorganic nutrients which can then be used by other organisms. See also consumer organism.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

MICHAEL ALLABY. "saprophage." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "saprophage." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-saprophage.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "saprophage." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-saprophage.html

Learn more about citation styles

saprophage

A Dictionary of Zoology | 1999 | | Copyright

saprophage An organism that consumes other, dead, organisms. Saprophages form part of the twofold division of the heterotrophs and consist mainly of bacteria and fungi, but also of some invertebrates, such as insect larvae (see CALLIPHORIDAE). They break down complex compounds obtained from dead organisms, absorbing some of the simpler products but releasing most of the products as inorganic nutrients which can then be used by other organisms.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

MICHAEL ALLABY. "saprophage." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "saprophage." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-saprophage.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "saprophage." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-saprophage.html

Learn more about citation styles

saprophage

A Dictionary of Plant Sciences | 1998 | | Copyright

saprophage An organism that consumes other, dead, organisms. Saprophages form part of the twofold division of the heterotrophs (organisms that feed on other organisms), and consist mainly of bacteria and fungi. They break down complex compounds obtained from dead organisms, absorbing some of the simpler products, but releasing most of the products as inorganic nutrients which can then be used by other organisms. See also CONSUMER ORGANISM.

Cite this article
Pick a style below, and copy the text for your bibliography.

MLA
Chicago
APA

MICHAEL ALLABY. "saprophage." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL ALLABY. "saprophage." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-saprophage.html

MICHAEL ALLABY. "saprophage." A Dictionary of Plant Sciences. 1998. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O7-saprophage.html

Learn more about citation styles