In many trait databases, species are labeled as herbivore, carnivore, omnivore, detritivore, or combinations of these. To accurately assign trophic traits, I would like to know:
Hello Fateme; The prefix Omni means All. So the term suggests that an omnivore eats living as well as dead material. The vertebrate omnivores that I know certainly do. The proportions of the food catagories in the diet vary with species, season and availability. Best regards, Jim Des Lauriers
Hey Fatemeh,
I believe that you are using some reference (a paper or something) for coding the traits. right? If so, I suggest you ask the author of that reference.
Humans are considered omnivorous animals. This means they can feed on animal- and plant-based foods and fungi.
Detritivorous animals, also known as scavengers, feed on dead organic materials, such as plant remains, dead animals, and feces.
They would be considered omnivores, or, depending on the type of analysis, could be included in a separate category, because they feed on organic matter that has already decomposed.
Hello Fatemeh,
It depends, because some classifications of omnivores include detritivores and others do not. Maybe a good criterion will be to check the bibliography and define your criteria
Omnivory/heterotrophy via detritivory is discussed in invertebrate examples here... https://www.researchgate.net/post/Is-there-any-evidence-published-or-pers-obs-of-terrestrial-isopods-woodlice-feeding-on-carrion-even-occasionally-anywhere-in-the-world
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