The largest prokaryote, Thiomargarita namibiensis compared to
a fruit fly, Drosophila. A single cell can reach a diameter of 0.75 mm.
|
The largest prokaryote on earth was discovered not before 1997, although the cells are visible with the naked eye. Thiomargarita namibiensis, which means 'sulfur pearl from Namibia', inhabits the sediments along the west coast of Africa.
|