Necrophages are organisms that obtain nutrients by consuming decomposing dead animal biomass, such as the muscle and soft tissue of carcasses and corpses.[1][2][3] The term derives from Greek nekros, meaning 'dead', and phagein, meaning 'to eat.'[1] Mainly, necrophages are species within the phylum Arthropoda; however, other animals, such as gastropods and Accipitrimorphae birds have been noted to engage in necrophagy.[2][4]
Necrophages play a critical role in the study of forensic entomology, as certain Arthropoda, such as Diptera larvae, engage in myiasis and colonization of the human body.[2]
- ^ a b Getz, Wayne M. (February 2011). "Biomass transformation webs provide a unified approach to consumer-resource modelling". Ecology Letters. 14 (2): 113–124. Bibcode:2011EcolL..14..113G. doi:10.1111/j.1461-0248.2010.01566.x. PMC 3032891. PMID 21199247.
- ^ a b c Keh, B (January 1985). "Scope and Applications of Forensic Entomology". Annual Review of Entomology. 30 (1): 137–154. doi:10.1146/annurev.en.30.010185.001033. PMID 3882048.
- ^ Gilliam, Martha; Buchmann, Stephen L.; Lorenz, Brenda J.; Roubik, David W. (March 1985). "Microbiology of the Larval Provisions of the Stingless Bee, Trigona hypogea, an Obligate Necrophage". Biotropica. 17 (1): 28. Bibcode:1985Biotr..17...28G. doi:10.2307/2388374. JSTOR 2388374.
- ^ Cheung, S. G.; Lam, S. (5 November 1999). "Effect of food availability on egg production and packaging in the intertidal scavenging gastropod Nassarius festivus". Marine Biology. 135 (2): 281–287. Bibcode:1999MarBi.135..281C. doi:10.1007/s002270050625. S2CID 85201716.