Newly-Discovered Bacteria Is The Size Of A Human Eyelash!
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Bacteria can be found almost everywhere on Earth, from the bottom of the ocean to the inside of our intestines. However, the single-celled organisms typically measure a few micrometers and can only be seen through a microscope. Now, researchers have identified a thin, thread-like bacteria species that grows up to 0.4 inches (1 centimeter) long. Named Thiomargarita magnifica, it is the largest bacteria found to date.
"It's 5,000 times bigger than most bacteria. To put it into context, it would be like a human encountering another human as tall as Mount Everest," said study leader Dr. Jean-Marie Volland of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California.
Olivier Gros first stumbled upon the massive bacterium in a red mangrove swamp on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe in 2009. The University of the French Antilles marine biologist says, "I spend a lot of time in the water looking at different things in the mangrove sediments. One time I saw these long white filaments, so I just collected them out of curiosity."

Gros initially believed he had found a new eukaryote species. Unlike bacteria, eukaryotes comprise complex cells containing a nucleus and organelles. However, a closer look at the thread-like specimens revealed he might have found something unique. The scientist suspected the microbe belonged to the same family as the previous largest-known bacteria — the 750-micrometer long Thiomargarita namibiensis (T. namibiensis),or "Sulfur Pearl of Namibia." However, his theory remained unconfirmed until recently, when Dr. Volland and his team decided to conduct more in-depth research.
The scientists found that there is more to the T. magnifica, than its large size. The bacteria, which obtains its energy by oxidizing sulfur, is far more complex than any other previously found species. In other bacteria, DNA floats freely within each cell. But in the T. magnifica the genetic information is stored in hundreds of thousands of tiny little packets known as pepins. Many larger bacteria species carry multiple copies of their genomes. However, the T. magnifica takes it to a new level with 700,000 copies of DNA in its single cell!

The T. magnifica's reproduction method is also unlike any other seen before. Most bacteria reproduce by dividing into two identical cells. However, the slender T. magnifica breaks off a piece of itself at the tip. That segment then separates to become a new member of the species.
Dr. Volland and his team published their findings in the journal Science on June 23, 2022. They plan on conducting further research to determine if mangroves are essential to the bacterium's survival. The researchers also want to further analyze the genetic material inside the bacteria's pepins.
Resources: Nationalgeographic.com, Science.org, Nature.com, jgi.doe.gov

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37 Comments
- brooklynjabout 1 yearWow! I mean I love bugs but.... I mean if nothing happens then cool float ur boat! But like don't put me in danger I rather live yk? But this is kinda cool but also scary! But imma just mind my business like I'll go my way u go urs! Ty very much mate now imma go live! ANYWHO HAVE A GREAT DAY Y'ALL BAI!
- m-dog1003about 1 yearThat is crazy cool, and an automatic A+, if you know what I mean.
- itznikkidaangelabout 1 yearAmazing!!
- byjenyrelokeabout 1 yearI really hope that it can't control people's minds.
- herominegrangerabout 1 yearme too
- iheartart4everabout 1 yearWow
- techfashion0315about 1 yearHi y'all! It's good to be back! Cool article! <3
- melanie53about 1 yearon god :)
- luna_1234about 1 yearOmg!! That is scary! Anything like that or spiders or bugs scare me to death! LOL Please like and follow me! Also here is my comment question( comment on my comment answering the question) What are you most scared of roaches or palmetto bugs?
- luna_1234about 1 yearI personally am more scared of palmetto bugs( the one that sort of look like roaches but they fly and make a loud noise)
- here2observe11 monthsI thougt that there the same thing. Palmetto sounds more scary though
- bloxburgboyabout 1 yearwhoa. i have never discovered those kind of new bacteria. in fact I should have to see it. that sounds super, duper cool.
- sassycat10about 1 yearwow!
- summer_beachabout 1 yearThose are huge! (I had to read this for history)