Giant Bacteria Visible in the Naked Eye Discovered in Guadeloupe for the First Time

Giant bacteria and its potential existence may be taken out from a science fiction. However, a new study outlines the discovery of one, found in the Guadeloupe for the first time. Bacteria is commonly observed using a microscope, yet the recently discovered can be seen even with the naked eye.

Still, the scientists used a variety of microscopy techniques to determine the unique biological components of the bacteria, including a "highly polyploid cells" with DNA and ribosomes in the membranes.

The breakthrough research also contends with the existing belief that most bacteria are too small to be seen by humans without the help of microscopes.

The Guadeloupe bacteria has surpassed the previous record-holder of the world's largest bacteria which could grow up to 0.77 millimeters wide and was found in the Namibia coast.

While this is the case for the pathogens registered on the scientific database, scientists have not ruled out the possibility that there also large bacteria waiting to be discovered.

Giant Bacteria

(Photo : Photo by TOLGA AKMEN/AFP via Getty Images)

The discovery was published in the journal Science on Thursday, June 23, which revealed the existence of a centimeter-long bacteria contained within organelles bound in a membrane and was metabolically active. The unprecedented findings reportedly shatters existing notions that bacteria or bacterium are only microscopic isolated cells or colonies.

Jean-Marie Volland, along with his colleagues, have been the main contributors and authors of the study. The team discussed an extremely large single-celled bacterium found in the mangroves of Guadeloupe, wherein the DNA of the pathogen was also found.

The research team came up with their findings after conducting a sampling of a mangrove swamp in the said North America territory, consisting of an archipelago and overseas department belonging to France.

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Largest Bacteria Ever Found

The giant bacteria has been named Candidatus Thiomargarita magnifica, which was described by the authors as "unusually large" and as a "sulfur-oxidizing bacterium." It has a complex membrane structure and a predicted life cycle.

According to Volland, the bacterium is 5,000 times large than most bacteria, comparing it to a human encountering another human with the size as large as Mount Everest, the AAAS stated.

Volland is a scientist with appointments with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Joint Genome Institute (JGI), Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab), and other institutions.

What is a Bacteria?

The UK-based organization Microbiology Society defines bacteria as microbes with a cell structure, which is relatively simpler than a multitude of living organisms. Its single loop of DNA contains it control center with its genetic information.

The organization also cited the following classification of bacteria into five groups with varying size and shape such as:

Spherical (cocci)
Rod (bacilli)
Spiral (spirilla)
Comma (vibrios)
Corkscrew (spirochaetes)

Empirical evidence also show that bacteria are found in every habitat or ecosystems of Earth. These microbes also live inside other organisms, including animals, humans, and plants. Furthermore, harmful bacteria also causes various diseases and health ailments.