Final answer:
Detritivores are organisms that consume dead organic material, aiding in the decomposition process. They play a vital ecological role by helping recycle nutrients, with earthworms being a common example on land.
Step-by-step explanation:
Detritivores are organisms that feed on dead organic material, known as detritus. This includes dead leaves, animal feces, and other organic debris that accumulates on the ground or at the bottom of bodies of water.
Terrestrial detritivores, such as earthworms and dung beetles, play a crucial role in breaking down this material on land, while aquatic detritivores like sea cucumbers and catfish do the same in water ecosystems.
Vultures, although often mistaken for detritivores due to their scavenging habits, are actually scavengers because they consume the soft tissues of dead animals rather than detritus.