adjective
- feeding on dead or decaying organic matter
Usage: biological term
Examples
- Many beetles are saprophagous, helping to break down fallen logs.
- Saprophagous fungi play a crucial role in forest ecosystems.
- The saprophagous bacteria decompose organic waste in the soil.
- Vultures are saprophagous birds that feed on carrion.
- These saprophagous insects help recycle nutrients in nature.
- The compost pile attracts various saprophagous organisms.