Copromycetophagy
- Pronunciation
- /koh-proh-my-SEE-toh-fuh-jee/
- Category
- Behavior
- Singular
- Copromycetophagy
- Plural
- Copromycetophagies
Definition
The behavior of consuming fungi that grow on dung or feces, primarily observed in certain beetle species.
Etymology
From Greek 'kopros', meaning 'dung', 'mykes', meaning 'fungus', and 'phagein', meaning 'to eat'.
Example
Some dung beetles engage in copromycetophagy, feeding on the fungi that develop on animal feces.
Synonyms
- Dung-fungus feeding
Related Terms
- Coprophagy
- Mycophagy
- Dung beetles
Usage Notes
Copromycetophagy is a specialized feeding behavior that facilitates nutrient cycling and decomposition in ecosystems.