Thiomargarita namibiensis

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Description and significance

Thiomargarita Namibiensis also referred to as the “Sulfur pearl of Namibia,” is the largest bacterium known to mankind thus far. Thiomargarita Namibiensis is referred to as the sulfur pearl of Namibia because it looks like a large pearl made out of white globules of sulfur and was found off the coast of Namibia. Shortly after its discovery in 1999 Thiomargarita Namibiensis was said to be generally 0.1 - 0.3 mm wide with exception of a few which reach up to a size of 1.0 mm. Thiomargarita Namibiensis is said to be 3 million times the volume of a normal bacterium cell.