Largest bacterium
- Who
- Thiomargarita magnifica
- What
- 1 centimetre(s)
- Where
- Guadeloupe
- When
- 23 June 2022
The largest bacterium is Thiomargarita magnifica, which measures 1 cm (0.39 in) long, and was discovered living in mangroves of the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe, a French overseas region, in 2009. It is some 50 times larger than the previous largest bacteria and is the first to be visible to the naked eye. The new species was formally described in the journal Science in June 2022.
The bacterium T. magnifica - which resembles a human eyelash in shape and size - was discovered by marine biologist Olivier Gros of the Université des Antilles in Guadeloupe.
While bacteria will normally store their DNA freely in the liquid or cytoplasm that fills their bodies; T. magnifica stores its genetic material in compartments. Packed inside the DNA are hints to its size, including the potential for genes that are associated with elongation.