Lacking a theca; describing organisms or structures that have no hard outer case, sheath, or protective covering.
From Latin 'athecatus,' combining Greek 'a-' (without) + 'theke' (sheath). Used in biology to classify organisms by the absence of a protective structure.
Marine biologists were fascinated to discover that athecate hydroids (tiny ocean animals) could be just as successful as their armored cousins—proving that you don't always need a suit of armor to survive in nature!
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