epitheca
nounEtymology Ancient Greek ἐπί (epí, “upon”) + θήκη (thḗkē, “case, box, receptacle”)
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Biology, Botany, Microbiology, Natural sciences, Planktology The upper half of the theca of a thecate protist such as a diatom or dinoflagellate.
- Cellariiform, the orifices nearly confined to the convex frontal and lateral surfaces; the basal surface with a strong median calcareous keel, almost concealed by a flat membranous epitheca, which covers the whole zoarium […]1957, Sidney Frederic Harmer, The Polyzoa of the Siboga Expedition, page 1106: