Description:
A scoring level with three modalities that categorizes the external protection of a species. "Soft bodied" indicates this species has no external protection. An example would be an unsclerotized worm. "Moderately protected" indicates this species has an exposed body, but has a slightly protective cuticle or lives in a thin mucous or papery tube. "Well protected" indicates this species has a hard protective shell or exoskeleton. An example would be a crab or snail.