Diaotrophs

Diaotrophs are a category of organisms defined by their mode of nutrition. Specifically, diaotrophs obtain nutrients from pre-existing organic matter, rather than synthesizing their own food through processes like photosynthesis or chemosynthesis. This means they are heterotrophic, relying on external sources for energy and essential organic compounds.

This broad classification encompasses a wide range of organisms with diverse ecological roles. It includes decomposers, such as many bacteria and fungi, which break down dead plants and animals, recycling vital nutrients back into the ecosystem. Detritivores, like earthworms and certain insects, also fall under this umbrella, consuming dead organic material. Additionally, some parasitic organisms, which derive nutrients from living hosts at the host's expense, can be considered diaotrophs in a broader sense as they utilize pre-formed organic matter. The term emphasizes the direct consumption or absorption of organic molecules rather than their de novo synthesis.