Sclerites
Sclerites are small, hard, chitinous or calcareous components that make up the exoskeletons of various invertebrate animals, such as insects, crustaceans, and corals. These rigid structures provide support and protection for the soft tissues of the organism, and can vary in shape, size, and arrangement depending on the species. Sclerites are often used for taxonomic classification and identification purposes in the study of invertebrate biology.