Largest organism

The largest organism found on Earth can be measured using a variety of different methods. It could be defined as the largest by volume, mass, height, or length. Some creatures group together to form a superorganism, though this cannot truly be classed as one large organism and is usually only common amongst insects.

Related Topics:
Earth - Volume - Mass - Height - Length - Superorganism - Insect

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There are many difficulties in truly defining the largest organism in the world. The General Sherman tree, an individual Giant Sequoia with a volume of 1489 m³, is generally considered to hold the title {{ref|NPS}}. However, the Malheur National Forest Armillaria ostoyae (a species of honey fungus) was found to span 8.9 km² (2200 acres){{ref|UW}}. Whether or not this is an actual individual organism is disputed – the likelihood of all parts of the mycelium (the vegetative part of fungi) being connected is very small, though some tests have indicated that they have the same genetic makeup {{ref|ABC}}. The Aspen tree, (Populus tremuloides), also forms large stands of genetically identical trees. These trees form through runners coming off an original parent tree. All remain connected through their roots and could therefor be considered one organism. One such grove covers 200 acres and is estimated to weigh 6600 tonshttp://www.ontariosciencecentre.ca/scizone/brainz/sugarman/default.asp?sugarmanIdEN=13. The Great Barrier Reef, the world's largest coral reef stretching 2000 km, has been shown to be a collection of many organisms and is the largest living superorganism.

Related Topics:
General Sherman tree - Giant Sequoia - Malheur National Forest - Armillaria ostoyae - Species - Honey fungus - Mycelium - Fungi - Gene - Aspen - Great Barrier Reef - Coral reef

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The largest known animal ever to have lived is the blue whale, an endangered species that can measure 30 m (100 feet) in length and can weigh up to 140 tonnes (150 short tons) or more. There is currently no conclusive evidence that a larger animal has ever existed, but the phenomenon known as "Bloop" might indicate otherwise. The largest animal roaming on the land today is the bull Savannah Elephant, with one known example weighing in at 12,000 kg (26,400 pounds), though many extinct species, most notably the sauropods, were far larger.

Related Topics:
Animal - Blue whale - Endangered species - Tonne - Short ton - Bloop - Bull - Savannah Elephant - Sauropod

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