The plural form of 'atheca,' referring to organisms or structures that lack a theca (a hard outer covering, case, or sheath).
From Greek 'a-' (not, without) + 'theke' (case or sheath). The Latin plural 'athecae' uses the standard -ae ending for biological taxonomy.
In marine biology, discovering athecae organisms challenged scientists' assumptions about protection—some creatures thrive without hard shells by using other survival strategies like speed or camouflage instead!
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