Subaerophytic

Several cyanobacteria live as endolithic species inside rocks (within the crystal lattice) in very arid, hot or cold deserts, usually subaerophytic.

Occurrence: many species are epilithic on submerged stones or subaerophytic in spray and zones (sensu Rott et al. 2006) but may also be common as planktic members.

Gloeothece plays a substantial role within aerophytic or subaerophytic communities or on submerged substrates all over the world (Komárek and Anagnostidis 1998).