Coenenchym

/ˈsiːnənkɪm/ noun

Definition

The shared tissue or living material that connects individual polyps in a coral colony, allowing them to function as a unified organism.

Etymology

From Greek 'koinos' (common) + 'enchyma' (tissue). This term describes the connecting tissue unique to colonial animals.

Kelly Says

Coral colonies are basically thousands of tiny clones all connected by shared tissue—they eat together, defend together, and grow together as a superorganism.

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