sapromycetophagy
- Pronunciation
- /sap-roh-MY-see-TOH-fuh-jee/
- Category
- Behavior
- Singular
- sapromycetophage
- Plural
- sapromycetophages
Definition
The consumption of fungi, particularly decomposing fungi, by certain insects and arachnids.
Etymology
From Greek 'sapros', meaning 'rotten', 'mykes', meaning 'fungus', and 'phago', meaning 'to eat'.
Example
Certain species of beetles engage in sapromycetophagy, feeding on decomposing fungi found in forest litter.
Synonyms
- Fungivory
- Mycophagy
Related Terms
- Decomposition
- Fungi
- Detritivores
- Nutritional ecology
Usage Notes
Sapromycetophagy is a specialized feeding behavior that is usually observed in habitats rich in decaying organic matter.