Relating to or affecting the exotheca, the outer protective covering of certain organisms like corals.
From exotheca + the adjective suffix -al. This derives ultimately from Greek exō (outside) and thēkē (sheath or case).
When scientists study coral bleaching, they're often looking at what happens to these exothecal structures—the external walls that protect the living coral inside are like nature's version of medieval castle defenses!
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