There are many observations of decomposers and detritivores feeding on animals on iNat, but not one easy way to see them grouped together. This project is intended to gather observations of decomposers and detritivores doing their crucial work!
While it may seem gross to some people, decomposition provides a fascinating opportunity to observe how energy cycles through an ecosystem! ...more ↓
There are many observations of decomposers and detritivores feeding on animals on iNat, but not one easy way to see them grouped together. This project is intended to gather observations of decomposers and detritivores doing their crucial work!
While it may seem gross to some people, decomposition provides a fascinating opportunity to observe how energy cycles through an ecosystem! Knowing more about the decomposition of carrion gives us a better understanding of the complex ecosystems around the world so that we may better manage them. Building knowledge about carrion decomp even has forensic applications that can help people solve crimes.
Who contributes to carrion decomposition?
- Invertebrates (e.g. flies and beetles)
- Larger scavengers (e.g. vultures and raccoons)
- Microbes (e.g. bacteria and fungi)
To be clear, the observations in the project should be identifying the carrion eaters at work, not the animals they are working on.
Banner image of blue-green bottle flies (Lucilia coeruleiviridis) from @t7iguy , used with permission.
Many thanks for allowing their image to be used!
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Carrion Eaters
snake_smeuse
created this project on June 6, 2022
