Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 3 — 1, 3 and 5 Only

Detritivores are organisms that feed on dead and decaying organic matter (detritus), playing a crucial role in nutrient cycling and decomposition. Earthworms, millipedes, and woodlice are classic examples of detritivores that break down organic debris in soil and forest floors. Jellyfish are primarily carnivorous filter feeders that consume plankton and small fish, while seahorses are also carnivores feeding on small shrimp and invertebrates—neither are detritivores.

✅ Statement 1 (Earthworms) – Correct: Earthworms are classic detritivores that consume and break down organic matter in soil, enhancing soil fertility through decomposition.

❌ Statement 2 (Jellyfish) – Incorrect: Jellyfish are carnivorous organisms that primarily feed on plankton and small fish through filter feeding, not on detritus.

✅ Statement 3 (Millipedes) – Correct: Millipedes are detritivores that feed on decaying leaves and organic debris on forest floors, aiding in decomposition.

❌ Statement 4 (Seahorses) – Incorrect: Seahorses are carnivores that feed on small shrimp, plankton, and other small invertebrates, not on dead organic matter.

✅ Statement 5 (Woodlice) – Correct: Woodlice (also called pill bugs or roly-polies) are terrestrial crustaceans that feed on decaying plant and animal matter as detritivores.

📝 Short Notes: Detritivores and Decomposers

• Detritivores: Organisms that feed on dead organic matter (detritus), including dead plant material, animal carcasses, and feces. They physically break down organic matter into smaller pieces.
• Common Examples: Earthworms, millipedes, woodlice, dung beetles, termites, some snails, and certain types of flies and beetles.
• Role in Ecosystem: Detritivores accelerate decomposition by fragmenting organic matter, increasing surface area for microbial action, and mixing organic matter with soil.
• Difference from Decomposers: Decomposers (bacteria and fungi) chemically break down organic matter at molecular level, while detritivores physically consume and fragment it.
• Nutrient Cycling: Detritivores play a critical role in nutrient cycling by releasing nutrients locked in dead organic matter back into the soil for plant uptake.
• Habitat: Most detritivores are found in soil, leaf litter, forest floors, and aquatic sediments where organic debris accumulates.