endolithic
/ˌɛndoʊˈlɪθɪk/
adjective
- Living or growing inside rock or stone, often used to describe certain organisms like fungi, algae, or bacteria.
- The endolithic lichen slowly breaks down the rock surface as it grows.
- Endolithic organisms can survive in the tiny cracks and pores of desert rocks.
- Scientists discovered endolithic bacteria living deep within Antarctic sandstone.