Cothurnia limnoriae - NSCEP | US EPA - US Environmental ...

Trophic Modes
Table 8: Definitions for the trophic modes.
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4 Explanation
Primary
Metabolic energy derived from sunlight or chemosynthesis in contrast
Producer
to consumption of other organisms.
Photosynthetic Metabolic energy derived from photosynthesis.
Chemosynthetic
Metabolic energy derived from oxidation of methane, hydrogen
sulfide, or other reduced molecules.
Herbivore
An organism that feeds on plants. Species feeding on phytoplankton
via suspension feeding are covered under “Suspension Feeders”.
An organism that feeds by rasping benthic algae from sediment,
Grazer
rocks, or leaf surfaces. May consume some smaller benthic
organisms, but if animals are dominant food source, the species is
classified as a predator.
Folivore Feeds on leaves.
Other Herbivore feeding mechanism not included in the above list.
Predator Feeds on animals.
Secondary
Predator feeding primarily on herbivores. Also called a Primary
Consumer
predator.
Tertiary Consumer
Predator feeding primarily on secondary consumers. Also called a
Secondary predator.
Quaternary
Predator feeding primarily on tertiary consumers. Also called a
Consumer
Tertiary predator.
Quinary Consumer
Predator feeding primarily on quaternary consumers. Also called a
Quaternary predator.
Scavenger
Feeds on dead organic material. Usually used for species feeding on
larger particles or animal remains
Detritovore
In contrast to scavengers, feed on small detritus (i.e. plant and animal
remains).
Decomposer
Organisms that breakdown and digest dead organisms. Bacteria and
fungi are major decomposer groups.
Suspension
Feeds on phytoplankton, zooplankton, and/or suspended particles in
Feeder
the water column.
Active
Captures planktonic particles by pumping or sweeping water past a
filter.
Passive
Utilizes ocean currents to transport planktonic particles past a
particle-trapping mechanism, such a filter or sticky trap.
Obligate Feeds only as a suspension feeder.
66