Thiomargarita namibiensis

Thiomargarita namibiensis ("Sulfur pearl of

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Namibia") is the largest bacterium ever discovered, with a width up to 0.75 mmhttp://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/content_pages/record.asp?recordid=53486, making it easily visible to the naked eye. Their size is attributable to a large vacuole in which they store nitrate.

Related Topics:
Bacterium - Vacuole - Nitrate

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The species was discovered by Heide N. Shulz and others in 1999, on the continental shelf off of Namibia.

Related Topics:
Heide N. Shulz - 1999 - Continental shelf - Namibia

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The previously largest known bacterium was Epulopiscium fishelsoni, at 0.5mm long.http://www.newscientist.com/channel/life/mg17423461.600

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There are no other species in the genus.

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