_____ are important, decomposers that cause decay and decomposition of dead bodies of plants and animals.

Answer: DSolution: Sapeophytic bacteria are free living bacteria which obtain their food from organic remains, e.g., corpses, animal excreta, fallen leaves, vegetables, fruits, meat, jams, jellies, bread and other products of plant and animal origin. Aerobic breakdown og organic compounds is known as decay. In nature saprophytic bacteria along with saprotrophic fungi are the decomposers of organic remains.