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| {{short description|List of largest organisms on Earth}} | |||
| ====Birds (])==== | |||
| {{pp-move}} | |||
| {{split-section|date=June 2013}} | |||
| ] is a clonal colony of an individual ] with an interconnected root system. It is widely held to be the world's most massive single organism.]] | |||
| ] is the largest living bird.]] | |||
| This article lists the '''largest ]''' for various types of life and mostly considers ] species,{{efn|The organism sizes listed are frequently considered "outsized" and are not in the normal size range for the respective group.}} which found on Earth can be determined according to various aspects of an organism's size, such as: mass, volume, area, length, height, or even ]. Some organisms group together to form a ] (such as ]s or ]s), but such are not classed as single large organisms. The ] is the world's largest structure composed of living entities, stretching {{convert|2,000|km|mi|abbr=on}} but contains many organisms of many types of species. | |||
| The largest living ], a member of the ], is the ] (''Struthio camelus''), from the plains of ] and ]. A large male ostrich can reach a height of 2.8 m (9.2 ft) and weigh over 156 kg (345 lb).<ref name="birding"> records</ref> A mass of 200 kg (440 lb) has been cited for the ostrich but no wild ostriches of this massive weight have been verified.<ref name=autogenerated3>. avianmedicine.net</ref> Eggs laid by the Ostrich can weigh 1.4 kg (3 lb) and are the largest eggs in the world today. | |||
| When considering singular entities, the largest organisms are ] which can spread over large areas. ], a clonal colony of the ], is widely considered to be the largest such organism by mass.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.zmescience.com/other/science-abc/heaviest-organism-pando-aspen/|title = The Heaviest Living Organism in the World|date = 9 February 2015|access-date = 10 February 2016|website = ZME Science|last = Mihai|first = Andrei}}</ref> Even if such colonies are excluded, ] retain their dominance of this listing, with the ] being the most massive tree.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Giant Sequoia National Monument|url=http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/sequoia/home/?cid=stelprdb5394941|website=Sequoia National Forest|publisher=United States Department of Agriculture - Forest service|access-date=10 February 2016}}</ref> In 2006, a huge ] of the ] '']'' was discovered south of the island of ]. At {{convert|8|km|0}} across, and estimated at 100,000 years old,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theportugalnews.com/news/view/1152-20|title=Portuguese scientists discover world's oldest living organism|website=www.theportugalnews.com|access-date=2019-02-14|archive-date=2019-01-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190119070051/http://www.theportugalnews.com/news/view/1152-20|url-status=dead}}</ref> it may be one of the largest and ] clonal colonies on Earth.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.ibiza-spotlight.com/news/2006/monster_plant_280506_i.htm|title= Ibiza's Monster Marine Plant|access-date= 2007-05-09|work=Ibiza Spotlight|date= 28 May 2006|url-status=dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20060827123801/http://www.ibiza-spotlight.com/news/2006/monster_plant_280506_i.htm|archive-date= 27 August 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Pearlman |first=Jonathan |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/9066393/Ancient-seagrass-Oldest-living-thing-on-earth-discovered-in-Mediterranean-Sea.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207170657/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/science/9066393/Ancient-seagrass-Oldest-living-thing-on-earth-discovered-in-Mediterranean-Sea.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=7 February 2012 |title='Oldest living thing on earth' discovered |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=7 February 2012 |access-date=11 February 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last=Arnaud-Haond|first=Sophie|author2=Duarte, Carlos M. |author3=Diaz-Almela, Elena |author4=Marbà, Núria |author5=Sintes, Tomas |author6=Serrão, Ester A. |author7=Bruun, Hans Henrik |title=Implications of Extreme Life Span in Clonal Organisms: Millenary Clones in Meadows of the Threatened Seagrass ''Posidonia oceanica''|journal=PLOS ONE|volume=7|issue=2|pages=e30454|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0030454|pmid=22312426|pmc=3270012|bibcode=2012PLoSO...730454A|year=2012|doi-access=free}}</ref> | |||
| The largest bird in the fossil record may be the extinct ]s (''Aepyornis'') of Madagascar, which were related to the ]. They exceeded 3 m (10 ft) in height and 500 kg (1,120 lb).<ref name = "Wood"/> The last of the elephant birds became extinct about 300 years ago. Of almost exactly the same upper proportions as the largest elephant birds was '']'' of ], part of a 26,000-year-old group called ]s of the family ].<ref>Murray, Peter F.; Vickers-Rich, Patricia (2004). ''Magnificent Mihirungs: The Colossal Flightless Birds of the Australian Dreamtime''. Indiana University Press. ISBN 978-0-253-34282-9</ref> The largest carnivorous bird was '']'', an extinct flightless bird from ] which reached a weight of 350 to 400 kg (770 to 880 lb) and a height of about 2.8 m (9 ft 2 in).<ref>Alvarenga, H.; Chiappe, L.; Bertelle, S. (2011-05-03), ''Phorusrhacids: the Terror Birds'', in Dyke, G.; Kaiser, G., Living Dinosaurs: The Evolutionary History of Modern Birds, Wiley, pp. 187–208, ISBN 978-0-470-65666-2</ref> The tallest bird ever however was the ] (''Dinornis maximus''), part of the moa family of ] that went ] about 200 years ago. This moa stood up to 3.7 m (12 ft) tall,<ref name=birding/> but weighed about half as much as a large elephant bird or ] due to its comparatively slender frame.<ref name = "Wood"/> | |||
| Among ], the largest species are all ]s, specifically ]. The ] is believed to be the largest animal to have ever lived.<ref name="NYT-20240229">{{cite news |last=Zimmer |first=Carl |authorlink=Carl Zimmer |title=Researchers Dispute Claim That Ancient Whale Was Heaviest Animal Ever - A new study argues that Perucetus, an ancient whale species, was certainly big, but not as big as today's blue whales. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/29/science/giant-whale-perucetus.html |date=29 February 2024 |work=] |url-status=live |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20240229131654/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/02/29/science/giant-whale-perucetus.html |archivedate=29 February 2024 |accessdate=3 March 2024 }}</ref> The living land animal classification is also dominated by ], with the ] being the largest of these. | |||
| The largest bird ever capable of flight was '']'', a now extinct member of the ] group found in Argentine fossil beds, with a wingspan up to 8.3 m (28 ft), a length of up to 3.5 m (11 ft), a height on the ground of up to 2 m (6.6 ft) and a body weight of at least 80 kg (176 lb).<ref name = "Wood"/><ref>{{cite doi|10.1073/pnas.0702040104 }}</ref> | |||
| ==Plants== | |||
| ;Table of heaviest living birds | |||
| {{main|List of largest plants}} | |||
| The following is a list of the heaviest living bird species. These species are almost all flightless, which allows for these particular birds to have denser bones and heavier bodies. Flightless birds comprise less than 2% of all living bird species. One flying species, the corpulent ], ranks on the list. | |||
| The largest single-stem tree by wood volume and mass is the ] (''Sequoiadendron giganteum''), native to Sierra Nevada and California; it typically grows to a height of {{convert|70|-|85|m|ft|abbr=on|sigfig=2}} and {{convert|5|-|7|m|ft|abbr=on}} in diameter. | |||
| The largest organism in the world, according to mass, is the ] whose colonies of clones can grow up to {{convert|5|mi|km|order=flip|0}} in size. The largest such colony is ], in the ] in Utah. | |||
| {| class="wikitable" | |||
| |- | |||
| ! Rank | |||
| ! Animal | |||
| ! Average mass<br /> | |||
| ! Maximum mass<br /> | |||
| ! Average total length<br /> | |||
| |- | |||
| | 1 || ] || 104 (230)<ref name= Davies/> || 156.8 (346)<ref name= Davies/> || 210 (6.9)<ref name= Handbook1>del Hoyo, et al., ''Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 1: Ostrich to Ducks''. Lynx Edicons (1992), ISBN 978-84-87334-10-8</ref> | |||
| |- | |||
| | 2 || ] || 45 (99)<ref name= Davies/> || 85 (190)<ref>Christopher P. Kofron (1999). ''Attacks to humans and domestic animals by the southern cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii) in Queensland, Australia''. Journal of Zoology, 249, pp 375–381</ref> || 155 (5.1)<ref name= Davies/> | |||
| |- | |||
| | 3 || ] || 44 (97)<ref name= Davies/> || 75 (170)<ref name= Davies/> || 149 (4.9)<ref name= Handbook1/> | |||
| |- | |||
| | 4 || ] || 33 (73)<ref name= Davies/><ref name="CRC"/> || 70 (150)<ref>. gov.ns.ca</ref> || 153 (5)<ref name= Davies/> | |||
| |- | |||
| | 5 || ] || 31.5 (69)<ref name= Handbook1/><ref name= Penguin>Marion, Remi, ''Penguins: A Worldwide Guide''. Sterling Publishing Co. (1999), ISBN 0-8069-4232-0</ref> || 46 (100)<ref name= Handbook1/> || 114 (3.7)<ref name= Handbook1/> | |||
| |- | |||
| | 6 || ] || 23 (51)<ref name="CRC"/> || 40 (88)<ref name= Handbook1/> || 134 (4.4)<ref name= Davies/> | |||
| |- | |||
| | 7 || ] || 19.7 (43)<ref name= Davies/> || 34 (75)<ref name= Davies/> || 105 (3.4)<ref name="ref141">. (2009-04-09)</ref> | |||
| |- | |||
| | 8 || ] || 19.6 (43)<ref name= Davies/> || 28.6 (63)<ref name= Davies/> || 96 (3.2)<ref name= Handbook1/> | |||
| |- | |||
| | 9 || ] || 13.6 (30)<ref name= Handbook1/><ref name = Penguin/> || 20 (44)<ref>. Authorstream.com (2009-03-31)</ref> || 92 (3)<ref name="theanimalfiles">. The Animal Files</ref> | |||
| |- | |||
| | 10 || ] (male) || {{convert|14|to|19|kg|lb|abbr=on}}|| {{convert|20|kg|lb|abbr=on}} | |||
| |} | |||
| A form of flowering plant that far exceeds Pando as the largest organism on Earth in area and potentially also mass, is the giant marine plant, '']'', living in ], Australia. Its length is about {{convert|180|km|mi|0|abbr=on}} and it covers an area of {{convert|200|km2|sqmi|0|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jun/01/what-the-hell-australian-scientists-discover-biggest-plant-on-earth-off-wa-coast | title=Scientists discover 'biggest plant on Earth' off Western Australian coast | website=] | date=31 May 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Edgeloe |first1=Jane M. |last2=Severn-Ellis |first2=Anita A. |last3=Bayer |first3=Philipp E. |last4=Mehravi |first4=Shaghayegh |last5=Breed |first5=Martin F. |last6=Krauss |first6=Siegfried L. |last7=Batley |first7=Jacqueline |last8=Kendrick |first8=Gary A. |last9=Sinclair |first9=Elizabeth A. |date=2022-06-08 |title=Extensive polyploid clonality was a successful strategy for seagrass to expand into a newly submerged environment |journal=Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences |volume=289 |issue=1976 |pages=20220538 |doi=10.1098/rspb.2022.0538|pmid=35642363 |pmc=9156900 |s2cid=249204370 }}</ref> It is also among the ]. | |||
| ] is the biggest of the living birds of prey]] | |||
| *'''Ratites''' (]) | |||
| **The largest ratites ] (''Struthio camelus''), from the plains of ] and ]. A large male ostrich can reach a height of 2.8 m (9.2 ft) and weigh over 156 kg (345 lb).<ref name="birding" /> A mass of 200 kg (440 lb) has been cited for the ostrich but no wild ostriches of this massive weight have been verified.<ref name=autogenerated3 /> Eggs laid by the Ostrich can weigh 1.4 kg (3 lb) and are the largest eggs in the world today. is ] (''Dromaius novaehollandiae'') of Australia {{convert|150|to(-)|190|cm|in|abbr=on}} in height, {{convert|1|to(-)|1.3|m|ft|abbr=on}} at the shoulder. In length measured from the bill to the tail, emus range from {{convert|139|to|164|cm|in|abbr=on}}, ] (''Casuarius casuarious'') from Australia and Papua New Guinea {{convert|9.8|to|19|cm|in|abbr=on}}.<ref name="Davies" /> The three-toed feet are thick and powerful, equipped with a lethal dagger-like claw up to {{convert|12|cm|in|abbr=on}} ] (''Rhea americana'') from South America {{convert|20|-|27|kg|lb|abbr=on}} and often measure {{convert|127|to|140|cm|in|abbr=on}} long from beak to tail; they usually stand about {{convert|1.5|m|ft|abbr=on}} ] (''Apteryx hassti'') from New Zealand {{convert|9|to(-)|12|cm|in|abbr=on}},<ref name="Adaption"/> while weight ranges between {{convert|1.2|and|2.6|kg|lb|abbr=on}} for males and {{convert|1.5|and|3.3|kg|lb|abbr=on}} for females | |||
| **The largest bird in the fossil record may be the extinct ]s (''Aepyornis'') of Madagascar, which were related to the ]. They exceeded 3 m (10 ft) in height and 500 kg (1,120 lb).<ref name = "Wood"/> The last of the elephant birds became extinct about 300 years ago. Of almost exactly the same upper proportions as the largest elephant birds | |||
| **The tallest bird ever however was the ] (''Dinornis maximus''), part of the moa family of ] that went ] about 200 years ago. This moa stood up to 3.7 m (12 ft) tall,<ref name=birding/> but weighed about half as much as a large elephant bird or ] due to its comparatively slender frame.<ref name = "Wood"/> | |||
| *'''Birds of prey''' (]) | |||
| **The largest ] species is the ] (''Aegypius monachus''), attaining a maximum size of 14 kg (31 lb), 1.2 m (3.9 ft) long and 3.1 m (10 ft) across the wings.<ref name = "Raptors">Christie, David A. & Ferguson-Lee, James, ''Raptors of the World''. Princeton University Press (2006), ISBN 978-0-691-12684-5</ref> Other vultures can be nearly as large, with the ] (''Gyps himalayensis'') reaching lengths up to 1.5 m (4.9 ft) thanks in part to its long neck.<ref>. Oiseaux-birds.com</ref> | |||
| **The largest living eagle (the larger varieties of active-hunting raptors) is a source of contention, with the ] (''Pithecophaga jefferyi''), at up to 1.12 m (3.7 ft), being the longest. The ] (''Haliaeetus pelagicus'') of Asia's North Pacific, at unconfirmed weights of up to 12.7 kg (28 lb) and an average weight of 6.7 kg (15 lb), is regarded as the heaviest eagle. The ] (''Harpia harpyja'') of the neotropical forests is often cited as the largest eagle, as well, and captive females have weighed up to 12.3 kg (27 lb).<ref name = "Wood"/> The longest-winged eagle ever was an Australian ] (''Aquila audax'') at 2.83 m (9.3 ft), though this species is not as large as the previous species. The ] (''Aquila chrysaetos'') is barely smaller winged, with the Himalayan subspecies recorded to 2.77 m (9.1 ft).<ref name = "Wood"/> The Harpy and Philippine Eagles, due to having to navigate in deep forest, are relatively short-winged, and do not exceed 2 m (6.6 ft) or 2.2 m (7.2 ft), respectively, in wingspan.<ref name = "Wood"/> The now extinct ] (''Harpagornis moorei''), which existed alongside early ] people in New Zealand, was easily the largest eagle known and perhaps the largest raptor ever. Adult female Haast's were estimated to average up to 1.4 m (4.6 ft) long, a 15 kg (33 lb) body weight and a relatively short 3 m (10 ft) wingspan.<ref>{{cite journal|url=http://www.notornis.org.nz/free_issues/Notornis_39-1992/Notornis_39_4_239.pdf|archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20061108034612/http://www.notornis.org.nz/free_issues/Notornis_39-1992/Notornis_39_4_239.pdf|archivedate=2006-11-08|title=Notes on the weight, flying ability, habitat, and prey of Haast's Eagle (Harpagornis moorei)|year=1992|author=Brathwaite, D. H.|journal=Notornis|volume=39|issue=4|pages=239–247}}</ref> | |||
| ]s, which are the largest waterfowl on earth.]] | |||
| *'''Waterfowl''' (]) | |||
| **The largest ] species in average size is the ] (''Cygnus buccinator'') of Northern North America, which can reach an overall length of 1.82 m (6 ft), a wingspan of 3.1 m (10 ft), and a weight of 17.3 kg (38 lb).<ref>Price, Christopher ed., ''Firefly Encyclopedia of Birds''. Firefly Books (2003), ISBN 1-55297-777-3</ref> However, other species have greater individual variation. Thus the heaviest single waterfowl ever recorded was a cob ] (''Cygnus olor'') from ], which weighed 23 kg (50 lb) and was allegedly too heavy to take flight.<ref name = "Wood"/> | |||
| Another giant marine plant of the genus '']'', '']'' discovered in the Mediterranean near the Balearic Islands, Spain may be the ] organism in the world, with an estimated age of 100,000 years.<ref name=seagrass> {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071226063158/http://www.ibiza-spotlight.com/news/2006/monster_plant_280506_i.htm |date=2007-12-26 }}. ''Ibiza Spotlight'' (2006-05-28).</ref> | |||
| **The previously mentioned ] are now classified as members of this order, making them the largest "waterfowl" that ever lived. | |||
| The largest individual flower in the world is '']'', while the ] with the largest unbranched ] in the world is ''].'' Both are native to ] in ]. | |||
| *'''Swifts and allies''' (]) | |||
| **The largest species are the ] (''Streptoprocne semicollaris''), endemic to southern Mexico, and the ] (''Hirundapus celebensis''), of the Philippine islands. Both reach similar large sizes, at up to 225 g (8 oz), more than 0.6 m (2.0 ft) across the wings and 25 cm (10 in) in length.<ref>Chantler, Phil, ''Swifts: A Guide to the Swifts and Treeswifts of the World''. Pica Press (1993), ISBN 978-0-300-07936-4</ref> | |||
| ===Green algae=== | |||
| **The ]s are also traditionally included in this order, the largest species of which is easily the ] (''Patagona gigas'') of the Andes Mountains. "Giant" is a relative term among the hummingbirds, the smallest-bodied variety of birds, and this species weighs up to 24 g (0.85 oz) at a length of 23 cm (9.1 in).<ref>Fjeldsa, Jon; Krabbe, Niels (1990). ''Birds of the High Andes''. Zoological Museum, University of Copenhagen, Denmark. p. 876.</ref> | |||
| ] are photosynthetic unicellular and multicellular ] that are related to land plants. The ] of the unicellular mermaid's wineglass, '']'', can grow to several inches (perhaps 0.1 to 0.2 m) in length. The fronds of the similarly unicellular, and invasive '']'' can grow up to a foot (0.3 m) long.{{Citation needed|date=January 2021}} | |||
| **The longest hummingbird species, indeed the longest in the order, is the adult male ] (''Lesbia victoriae''), which can measure up to 25.5 cm (10.0 in), but a majority of this length is due to the extreme tail streamers. Another size champion among hummingbirds is the ], a fairly large species in which about half of its 21 cm (8.3 in) length is from its bill (easily the largest bill-to-body-size ratio of any bird).<ref>Ridgely, Robert S., ''The Birds of Ecuador, Vol. 2: Field Guide''. Cornell University Press (2001), ISBN 978-0-8014-8721-7</ref> | |||
| ] is, overall, the largest member of the order ].]] | |||
| ==Animals== | |||
| *'''Nightjars and allies''' (]) | |||
| ] | |||
| **The largest species of this order of nocturnal, mysterious birds is the neotropical ] (''Nycitbius grandis''), the maximum size of which is about 680 g (1.5 lb) and 60 cm (2 ft). Heavier specimens have been recorded in the bulky Australian ] (''Podargus strigoides'') species, especially juvenile birds, which can weigh up to 1.4 kg (3.1 lb). Other species nearly as large as the potoo are the ] (''Podargus papuensis'') of New Guinea and the neotropic, cave-dwelling ] (''Steatornis caripensis''), both at up to 48 cm (19 in). | |||
| ]'' is potentially the largest animal to have walked the earth.]]{{excerpt|Largest animals}} | |||
| **The largest species in the true ] family, the ] (''Eurostopodus macrotis'') of East Asia, is rather smaller at up to 150 grams (5.3 oz) and 41 cm (16 in).<ref>Cleere, Nigel, ''Nightjars: A Guide to the Nightjars, Nighthawks, and Their Relatives''. Yale University Press (1998), ISBN 978-0-300-07457-4</ref> The wingspan in the Great Potoo and the Oilbird can be more than 1 m (3.3 ft), the largest of the order.<ref>. En.caiman.com.br (2010-12-06).</ref><ref>. Oiseaux-birds.com.</ref> | |||
| *'''Shorebirds''' (]) | |||
| ==Fungi== | |||
| **The largest species in this diverse order is the ] (''Larus marinus'') of the North Atlantic, attaining a size of as much as 0.79 m (2.6 ft), a wingspan of 1.7 m (5.6 ft) and weighing up to 2.3 kg (5.1 lb). The ] (''L. hyperboreus'') is, on average, somewhat smaller than the Black-back but has been weighed at as much as 2.7 kg (5.9 lb).<ref name="CRC"/><ref>Howell, Steven N.G. & Dunn, Jon, ''Peterson Reference Guides: Gulls of the Americas''. Hougton Mifflin Harcourt (2007), ISBN 0-618-72641-1</ref> | |||
| ]''|315x315px]]{{Main|Largest fungal fruit bodies}} | |||
| ** Among the most prominent family of "small waders", the ]s reach their maximum size in the ] (''Numenius madagascariensis'') at up to 0.66 m (2.2 ft) and 1.1 m (3.6 ft) across the wings, although the more widespread ] (''N. arquata'') can weigh up to 1.36 kg (3.0 lb).<ref>Brazil, Mark, ''Birds of East Asia''. Christopher Helm Ornithology (2009), ISBN 978-0-7136-7040-0</ref><ref>. birdfellow.com</ref> | |||
| The largest living ] may be a ]<ref name="UW">{{Cite web|title=Armillaria gallica, the humongous fungus humungus. Tom Volk's Fungus of the Month for April 2002|url=http://botit.botany.wisc.edu/toms_fungi/apr2002.html|access-date=2022-12-26|website=botit.botany.wisc.edu}}</ref> of the ] '']''.<ref name=BBCfungus>{{Cite web|title=BBC News | SCI/TECH | Fantastic fungus find|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/869808.stm|access-date=2022-12-26|website=news.bbc.co.uk}}</ref> | |||
| **Less variable in size, the ]s largest species is the Australasian ] (''Vanellus miles'') at up to 0.4 m (1.3 ft) long, a 0.85 m (2.8 ft) wingspan and a weight of 400 g (14 oz).<ref>. Oiseaux-birds.com.</ref> The terns, previously considered members of the gull family, are usually slender and dainty-looking in comparisonm but the largest species, the widely distributed ] (''Hydroprogne caspia''), is quite large and heavily built. Caspians can range up to 782 g (1.72 lb), a 1.4 m (4.6 ft) wingspan and 0.6 m (2.0 ft) in length.<ref>. Birdsinbackyards.net (2005-08-21)</ref><ref>. msue.msu.edu</ref> | |||
| A mushroom of this type in the ] in the ] of eastern ], U.S. was found to be the largest fungal colony in the world, spanning {{convert|8.9|km2|acre|abbr=on}} of area.<ref name="UW"/><ref name=ABCfungus>{{Cite web|title=Environment & Nature News - Humungous fungus: world's largest organism? - 10/04/2003|url=https://www.abc.net.au/science/news/enviro/EnviroRepublish_828525.htm|access-date=2022-12-26|website=www.abc.net.au}}</ref> This organism is estimated to be 2,400 years old. The fungus was written about in the April 2003 issue of the '']''. If this colony is considered a single organism, then it is the largest known organism in the world by area, and rivals the aspen grove "]" as the known organism with the highest living ]. It is not known, however, whether it is a single organism with all parts of the ] connected.<ref name=ABCfungus/> Approximations of the land area of the Oregon "humongous fungus" are {{convert|3.5|sqmi|sqkm}} ({{convert|2240|acre|ha}}, possibly weighing as much as 35,000 tons as the world's most massive living organism.<ref name="patton">{{cite web |author1=Vince Patton |title=Oregon Humongous Fungus Sets Record As Largest Single Living Organism On Earth (7 minute documentary video)|url=https://www.opb.org/television/programs/ofg/segment/oregon-humongous-fungus/ |publisher=Oregon Field Guide |access-date=23 September 2019 |date=12 February 2015}}</ref> | |||
| **The largest extant ] is the sub-Arctic ] (''Uria lomvia''), which can range up to 1.48 kg (3.3 lb), a length of 0.48 m (1.6 ft) and a small wingspan of 0.76 m (2.5 ft).<ref>. Nhptv.org.</ref> However, until its extinction, the flightless ] (''Pinguinus impennis'') of the North Atlantic, was both the largest alcid and the largest member of the order. Great auks could range up to 6.8 kg (15 lb) and 0.9 m (3.0 ft) tall.<ref>Fuller, Errol, ''Great Auk''. Harry N. Abrams (1999), ISBN 978-0-8109-6391-7.</ref> | |||
| *'''Herons and allies''' (]) | |||
| A spatial genetic analysis estimated that a specimen of ''Armillaria ostoyae'' growing over {{convert|91|acre|ha}} in northern ], United States weighs 440 ]s (4 x 10<sup>5</sup> kg).<ref name="Anderson">{{Cite journal | |||
| ] is the largest bird of prey of South America]] | |||
| | last = Anderson | first = A. |author2=Sand, C. |author3=Petchey, F. |author4=Worthy, T. H. | |||
| **The ]s are still generally considered a member of this order,<ref>American Ornithologists' Union (2010)</ref> although the inclusion is dubious at best.<ref>Remsen ''et al.'' (2008)</ref> If they are included, the largest species in the order, if measured in regard to body weight and wingspan, is the ] (''Vultur gryphus'') of western South America. The great bird can reach a wingspan of 3.2 m (10.7 ft)<ref name=birding/> and a weight of 15 kg (33 lb).<ref>. ARKive</ref> | |||
| | title = Faunal extinction and human habitation in New Caledonia: Initial results and implications of new research at the Pindai Caves | |||
| **The longest-bodied and tallest species in the order is probably the slender, towering ] of Africa (''Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis''), which often exceeds 1.5 m (5 ft) tall and has a wingspan of up to 2.7 m (8.9 ft).<ref>. Oiseaux-birds.com.</ref> Reaching a similar or slightly shorter height but more heavily built among the ]s are the neotropical ] (''Jabiru mycteria''), the Asian ] (''Leptoptilos dubius'') and the African ] (''L. crumeniferus''), all of which are believed to weigh up to 8 to 9 kg (18 to 20 lb). The Greater Adjutant and Marabou nearly equal the Andean condor in maximum wingspan. All three are believed to reach or exceed 3.16 m (10.5 ft) and are regarded as having the largest wingspan of any landbirds (that is species who live over land as opposed to tied to the sea or wetlands).<ref name="Wood"/> Standing up to 1.53 m (5.0 ft), with a wingspan of up to 2.3 m (7.5 ft) and a weight up to 5 kg (11 lb) is the African ] (''Ardea goliath''), the largest of the diverse and well-known herons and egrets. The White-bellied Heron (''A. insignis'') is generally smaller, but gigantic, unverified juveniles have been reported to 8.5 kg (18.8 lb) and 1.58 m (5.2 ft).<ref>The Bhutan Observer The Independent Voice (August 29th 2008)</ref> | |||
| | journal = Journal of Pacific Archaeology | volume = 1 | issue = 1 | pages = 89–109 | |||
| **Many of the largest flying birds in the fossil record may have been members of the Ciconiiformes. The largest flying bird ever, '']'', is part of a group, the ]s, that are considered an ally of the New World vultures.<ref>Miller, Loye H. (1909): ''Teratornis, a new avian genus from Rancho La Brea''. University of California Publications, Bulletin of the Department of Geology 5: 305–317.</ref> | |||
| | year = 2010 | hdl = 10289/5404 | |||
| **The largest ibis is the ] (''Thaumatibis gigantea''). Adults are reportedly 102–106 cm (40–42 in) long, with an upright standing height of up to {{convert|100|cm|in|abbr=on}} and are estimated to weigh about 4.2 kg (9.3 lbs).<ref name="Arkive" /> Among standard measurements, the ] is {{convert|52.3|-|57|cm|in|abbr=on}}, the ] is {{convert|30|cm|in|abbr=on}}, the ] is {{convert|11|cm|in|abbr=on}} and the ] is {{convert|20.8|-|23.4|cm|in|abbr=on}}. The adults have overall dark grayish-brown plumage with a naked, greyish head and upper neck. There are dark bands across the back of the head and shoulder area and the pale silvery-grey wing tips also have black crossbars. The beak is yellowish-brown, the legs are orange, and the eyes are dark red. Juveniles have short black feathers on the back of the head down to the neck, shorter bills and brown eyes.<ref name= Arkive/> having this ] (''Nipponia nippon'') of Japan is a large (up to 78.5 cm long), white-plumaged ] of ] forests. Its head is partially bare, showing red skin, and it has a dense crest of white plumes on the ]. This species is the only member of the genus ''Nipponia''. | |||
| }}</ref><ref name="daley">{{cite web |author1=Jason Daley |title=This humongous fungus is as massive as three blue whales: A new estimate suggests this mushroom is 2,500 years old and weighs 440 tons |url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/mushroom-massive-three-blue-whales-180970549/ |publisher=Smithsonian.com |access-date=23 September 2019 |date=15 October 2018}}</ref> | |||
| *'''Mousebirds''' (]) | |||
| :The mousebirds of Africa are remarkably uniform, but the largest species is seemingly the ] (''Colius striatus''), at 2 oz (60 g) and over 14 in (35 cm).<ref>. Mousebirds.com</ref> | |||
| In '']'', each individual mushroom (the fruiting body, similar to a flower on a plant) has only a {{convert|5|cm|in|abbr=on}} stipe, and a pileus up to {{convert|12.5|cm|in|abbr=on}} across. There are many other fungi which produce a larger individual size mushroom. The largest known fruiting body of a fungus is a specimen of '']'' (formerly ''Fomitiporia ellipsoidea'') found on ].<ref name=BBCFungalFruitingBody>Walker, Matt. (2011-08-01) . Bbc.co.uk</ref> The fruiting body masses up to {{convert|500|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.<ref name=ScienceFruitingBody>{{Cite journal | last1 = Dai | first1 = Y. C. | last2 = Cui | first2 = B. K. | doi = 10.1016/j.funbio.2011.06.008 | title = Fomitiporia ellipsoidea has the largest fruiting body among the fungi | journal = Fungal Biology | volume = 115 | issue = 9 | pages = 813–814 | year = 2011 | pmid = 21872178}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal|last1= Cui|first1= Bao-Kai|last2= Decock|first2= Cony|year= 2013|title= ''Phellinus castanopsidis'' sp. nov (Hymenochaetaceae) from southern China, with preliminary phylogeny based on rDNA sequences|journal=Mycological Progress|volume=12|issue=2|pages= 341–351|doi= 10.1007/s11557-012-0839-5|bibcode= 2013MycPr..12..341C|s2cid= 17570036}}</ref> | |||
| ] is the largest living pigeon.]] | |||
| *'''Pigeons''' (]) | |||
| Until ''P. ellipsoideus'' replaced it, the largest individual fruit body came from '']''. ''R. ulmarius'' can grow up to {{convert|284|kg|lb|abbr=on}}, {{convert|1.66|m|ft|abbr=on}} tall, {{convert|1.46|m|ft|abbr=on}} across, and has a circumference of up to {{convert|4.9|m|ft|abbr=on}}. | |||
| **The largest species of the pigeon/dove complex is the ] (''Goura victoria'') of Northern New Guinea, although the other ]s approach similar sizes. Some exceptionally large Victoria Crowneds have reached 3.7 kg (8.2 lb) and 85 cm (34 in). The largest arboreal pigeon is the ] (''Ducula galeata''), which is up to about 0.8 m (2.6 ft) across the wings and can weigh 1 kg (2.2 lb).<ref>Gibbs, David, ''Pigeons and Doves''. A&C Black (2001), ISBN 978-1-873403-60-0</ref> | |||
| ** The ] (''Ectopistes migratoritus'') of North America. The average weight of these pigeons was 340–400 g (12–14 oz) and, per ]'s account, length was 42 cm (16.5 in) in males and 38 cm (15 in) in females.<ref>. Fins.actwin.com. Retrieved on 2011-12-18.</ref> | |||
| ===Lichen=== | |||
| **Some flightless birds found on islands off East Africa are the largest extinct pigeons and doves known to have existed: the ] (''Raphus cucullatus''), which was physically somewhat like an outsized pigeon, and the ] (''Pezophaps solitaria''), a brown, long-necked bird that was superficially ]-like. Both species may have exceeded 1 m (3.3 ft) in height. All were carelessly hunted it into extinction by humans and introduced animals. The Dodo is most frequently cited as the largest ever pigeon, as it could have weighed as much as 28 kg (62 lb), although recent estimates have indicated that an average wild Dodo would have weighed around 10.2 kg (22.5 lb), scarcely larger than a male turkey.<ref>Vermeij, Geerat J. (2004). ''Nature: An Economic History''. Princeton University Press, ISBN 0691115273</ref><ref>{{cite pmid|21240603}}</ref> If Dodos were this light, the Rodrigues solitaire may have been larger. Some estimates claim tha solitaire was merely swan-sized but others estimate weights of up to 27.8 kg (61.2 lb).<ref>. Internationaldovesociety.com</ref><ref>. DodoSite</ref> | |||
| '']'' is among the largest lichens in the world. The ] of ''U. mammulata'' is usually {{convert|4|to|15|cm|in|abbr=on}} in diameter, but specimens have been known to reach {{convert|63|cm|ft|adj=on}} in the ] of ].<ref name=Brodo>{{cite book | last = Brodo | first = Irwin | title = Lichens of North America | publisher = Yale University Press | location = New Haven | year = 2001 | isbn = 978-0-300-08249-4 }}</ref> | |||
| *'''Kingfishers and allies''' (]) | |||
| ] is the largest hornbill]] | |||
| The longest lichen is '']'', which may grow to exceed {{convert|20|feet}} in length.<ref>{{cite web |title=''Usnea longissima'' |url=https://www.lichen.com/bigpix/Ulongissima.html |website=lichen.com |publisher=Lichens of North America |access-date=10 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503045319/https://www.lichen.com/bigpix/Ulongissima.html |archive-date=3 May 2012}}</ref> | |||
| **The largest species is the ] (''Bucorvus leadbeateri''), reaching sizes of as much as 6.2 kg (14 lb) and 1.3 m (4.3 ft) in length.<ref>. Oiseaux.net (2009-10-25)</ref> Several arboreal, Asian hornbills can grow very large as well, with the ] (''Buceros bicornis'') weighing to 4 kg (8.8 lb) and the Helmeted Hornbill (''Rhinoplax vigil'') measuring as much as 1.7 m (5.6 ft) in total length.<ref>Alan Kemp, ''The Hornbills: Bucerotiformes''. Oxford University Press (1995), ISBN 978-0-19-857729-4</ref><ref>. ARKive</ref> The larger hornbills have a wingspan of up to 1.83 m (6.0 ft).<ref>. Sandiegozoo.org.</ref> | |||
| **The largest kingfisher overall is the ] (''Megaceryle maxima''), at up to 48 cm (19 in) long and 425 g (15.0 oz), with a large crest and finely spotted white on black upperparts.<ref>. Oiseaux-birds.com</ref> However, the common Australian species, the ] (''Dacelo novaeguineae''), may be heavier still, since individuals exceeding 450 g (1.0 lb) are not uncommon. A kookaburra wingspan can range up to 0.9 m (3.0 ft).<ref>Knowles, Leslie, ''Kingfishers of the World''. Times Edn (1995), ISBN 978-981-204-470-9</ref> | |||
| ==Protists== | |||
| *'''Cuckoos and allies''' (]) | |||
| ]'', the largest species of giant kelp|283x283px]] | |||
| **The largest species of this order is the ] (''Corythaeola cristata''), a cousin of the better-known ]s. This species, which can weigh over 1.25 kg (2.8 lb) and measure over 0.74 m (2.4 ft) in length, is rather larger than other ]s. | |||
| (Note: the group ] is not used in current taxonomy.) | |||
| **The largest of the cuckoos is the ]n ] (''Scythrops novaehollandiae''), which can range up to a weight of 0.93 kg (2.1 lb), a 1 m (3.3 ft) wingspan and a length of 0.66 m (2.2 ft).<ref>Payne, Robert B., ''The Cuckoos''. Oxford University Press (2005), ISBN 978-0-19-850213-5</ref><ref>. Naturalhistory.org.au (2011-02-10)</ref> | |||
| *'''Falcons''' (]) | |||
| ===Amoebozoans (])=== | |||
| **Many authorities now support the split of falcons from the ], despite similar adaptations, due to the genetic evidence showing they are not closely related.<ref>. Museum.lsu.edu</ref> The largest species of falcon is the ] (''Falco rusticolus''). Large females of this species can range up to 2.1 kg (4.6 lb), span 1.6 m (5.2 ft) across the wings and measure 0.66 m (2.2 ft) long.<ref name="Raptors"/> the largest extinct '']'' was a giant hawk about 8 kilograms that lived in the Antilles, where it was among the top predator. | |||
| :Among the organisms that are not ], the largest are the ]s, such as '']'', some of which can reach a diameter over {{convert|12|in|cm|abbr=on|order=flip}}.<ref> {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630192009/http://waynesword.palomar.edu/slime1.htm |date=2015-06-30 }}. Waynesword.palomar.edu</ref> These organisms are ], but they are ]. | |||
| *'''Gamebirds''' (]) | |||
| ] is the largest living gamebird]] | |||
| ===Euglenozoans (])=== | |||
| **The heaviest member of this diverse order is the North American ] (''Meleagris gallopavo''). The largest specimen ever recorded was shot in 2002, and weighed 16.85 kg (37.1 lb) and was 1.44 m (4.7 ft) in total length.<ref>. Nwtf.org</ref> The heaviest ] on record, a very obese bird, weighed 37 kg (81 lb).<ref name=birding/> | |||
| :Some ]s, such as certain species of '']'', reach lengths of 400 ].<ref name = ProtistServer> | |||
| **The longest species, if measured from the tip of the bill to the end of the long tail coverts, is the male ] (''Pavo muticus'') of Southeast Asia, at up to 3 m (10 ft) long. This is the longest overall length for any flying bird, although about two-thirds of the length is comprised by the tail coverts, and this species (to 5 kg (11 lb)) weighs less than its cousin, the ] (''P. cristatus''), at up to 6 kg (13 lb). Although, wingspan is relatively small in most galliformes, both larger peafowl species can span as much as 1.6 m (5.2 ft) across the wings.<ref>. Sandiegozoo.org</ref> | |||
| {{cite web | |||
| **The largest member of the ] family is the Eurasian ] (''Tetrao urogallus''), at up to 6.7 kg (15 lb) and 1 m (3 ft). A prehistoric, flightless family, sometimes called (incorrectly) "giant megapodes" ('']'') of New Caledonia were the most massive galliformes ever, up to 1.7 m (5.6 ft) long and weighing up to about 40 kg (88 lb).<ref>Jones, Darryl & Göth, Ann, ''Mound-Builders (Australian Natural History Series). CSIRO Publishing (2009), ISBN 978-0-643-09345-4</ref> | |||
| |title = Protist Images: Euglena gigas | |||
| **The largest gamebirds is the ] (''Gallus gallus domestica''). The shanks and outer toes are slightly feathered. In the original birds the males topped 10 lb/4.5 kg; today cocks weigh 9.5 lbs/3.75-4.25 kg and hens 7.5 lbs/3-3.5 kg. Hatching eggs should weigh at least 58g. | |||
| |work = Protist Information Server | |||
| *'''Loons''' (]) | |||
| |year = 2004 | |||
| **The largest species on average is the ] (''Gavia adamsii'') of the Arctic, at up to 1 m (3.3 ft) and 7 kg (15.4 lb). However, one exceptionally large North American ] (''Gavia immer''), weighed 8 kg (17.6 lb), heavier than any recorded Yellow-billed Loon. Wingspan in these largest loons can reach 1.52 m (5.0 ft).<ref>. Animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu (2004-10-06)</ref> | |||
| |url = http://protist.i.hosei.ac.jp/PDB/Images/Mastigophora/Euglena/gigas/index.html}}</ref> | |||
| ], the ] is the heaviest extant flying bird.]] | |||
| *'''Cranes and allies''' (]) | |||
| ===Rhizarians (])=== | |||
| **The males of the Eurasian ] (''Otis tarda'') and the African ] (''Ardeotis kori'') are the heaviest birds capable of flight, averaging up to 16 kg (35 lb) and weighing 2 to 3 times as much as their female counterparts. It is not resolved if one of these species is larger than the other, but both can reach a weight of at least 21 kg (46 lb)<ref name=birding/> and measure up to 1.53 m (5.0 ft) long.<ref name = "Wood"/><ref>. Scienceblogs.com (April 2010)</ref> Some Kori bustards have been reported from 23 kg (51 lb) to even 40 kg (88 lb), but all such reports are unverified or dubious.<ref>. Ecoport.org (2005-01-17)</ref> | |||
| :The largest species traditionally considered ] are giant ]s like ]ns. One such species, the ] '']'', can attain a size of {{convert|20|cm|in|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2008-10-10|title=The 27 Best Deep-Sea Species: #22 Xenophyophores | Deep Sea News|url=https://www.deepseanews.com/2008/10/the-27-best-deep-sea-species-22-xenophyophores/|access-date=2022-12-26|website=www.deepseanews.com|language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
| **The tallest flying bird on earth, also represented in the ], is the ] (''Grus antigone'') of Southern Asia and Australia, which can reach a height of 2 m (6.6 ft).<ref>. gruitag.org</ref> Heavier cranes are reported in other species, the ] (''Grus japonensis'') and the ] (''G. leucogeranus''), both from Northeast Asia and both at up to 15 kg (33 lb), as opposed to a top weight of 12.8 kg (28 lb) in the Sarus.<ref name = "Wood"/><ref name=autogenerated1>''CRC Handbook of Avian Body Masses'' by John B. Dunning Jr. (Editor). CRC Press (1992), ISBN 978-0-8493-4258-5.</ref><ref>''The Wildlife Year'', The Reader's Digest Association, (1991). ISBN 0-276-42012-8</ref> Wingspan in both the largest cranes and the largest bustards can range up to 2.5–3 m (8.2–10 ft).<ref>. Tumblr.com</ref><ref>. Nationalzoo.si.edu</ref><ref>Sterling, et al., ''Vietnam: A Natural History''. Yale University Press (2006), ISBN 978-0-300-10608-4</ref> | |||
| **The most species-rich family in this order, the ], reaches their largest size in the bulky ] (''Porphyrio hochstetteri'') of New Zealand, an endangered species that can weigh up to 4.2 kg (9.3 lb) and measure 0.65 m (2.1 ft) long.<ref>Taylor, Barry, ''Rails: A Guide to the Rails, Crakes, Gallinules and Coots of the World''. Yale University Press (1998), ISBN 978-0-300-07758-2</ref> The afforement-mentioned "terror bird", '']'', has traditionally been classified as a member of this order, although this may not be an accurate classification. | |||
| ===Alveolates (])=== | |||
| ] shares the title of the largest songbird with its common cousin.]] | |||
| :The largest ]s, such as '']'', can attain a length over {{convert|4|mm|in|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Micscape Microscopy and Microscope Magazine|url=http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/indexmag.html?http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/mag/artoct98/spiro.html|access-date=2022-12-26|website=www.microscopy-uk.org.uk}}</ref> | |||
| *'''Songbirds''' (]) | |||
| **The passerine or songbird order comprises more than half of all bird species, and are known for their generally small size, their strong voices and their frequent perching. ]s are the largest of passerines, particularly the large races of the ] (''Corvus corax'') and the Northeast African ] (''C. crassirostris''). Large ravens can weigh 2 kg (4.4 lb), attain a 1.5 m (5.0 ft) wingspan and measure 0.8 m (2.6 ft) long.<ref>. Oiseaux-birds.com</ref> | |||
| ===Stramenopiles (])=== | |||
| **The closest non-corvid contender to largest size is the Australian ] (''Menura novaehollandiae''), which can reach a length of 1 m (3.3 ft), much of it comprised by their spectacular tail, and a weight of 1 kg (2.2 lb).<ref>Bambaradeniya, et al., ''The Illustrated Atlas of Wildlife''. University of California Press (2009), ISBN 978-0-520-25785-6</ref> | |||
| :The largest ] are ] from the northwestern Pacific. The floating stem of ''] pyrifera'' can grow to a height of over {{convert|45|m|ft|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Discover|url=https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover.html|access-date=2022-12-26|website=www.nhm.ac.uk|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Giant kelp|url=https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/animals-a-to-z/giant-kelp|access-date=2022-12-26|website=www.montereybayaquarium.org}}</ref> | |||
| **The largest species in the most species-rich passerine family, ] or tyrant-flycatchers, is the ] of the South Andes (''Agriornis lividus''), at 99.2 g (3.5 oz) and 31 cm (12 in), although the ] (''Tyrannus savana''), to 41 cm (16 in), is longer thanks to its extreme tail.<ref name = "CRC"/><ref>. eNature</ref> | |||
| :Macrocystis also qualifies as the largest ], the largest ], and the largest protist generally. | |||
| **The namesake of the previous family, the ]s, reaches its maximum size in the ] of Southeast Asia (''Cochoa viridis''), if it is indeed a proper member of the family, at up to 122 g (4.3 oz)<ref name = "CRC"/> and a length of 29 cm (11 in). | |||
| ** Closely related to the Old World flycatchers, the ] family's largest representative is the ] of India and Southeast Asia (''Myophonus caeruleus''), at up to 230 g (8.1 oz) and 36 cm (14 in).<ref>. Oiseaux-birds.com</ref> | |||
| ==Bacteria== | |||
| **The largest bird family in ] is the ]s. As previously classified these warblers could get fairly large, up to 57 g (2.0 oz) and 28 cm (11 in) in the ] of Southeast Asia (''Megalurus palustris''). The Old World warblers have been split into several families, however, which leaves the ] of central Eurasia (''Sylvia nisoria''), up to 36 g (1.3 oz) and 17 cm (6.7 in), as the largest "true warbler".<ref>''Handbook of the Birds of the World, Volume 11: Old World Flycatcher's to the Old World Warblers''. Lynx Edicions (2006), ISBN 978-84-96553-06-4</ref> | |||
| The largest known species of ] is named '']'', which grows to {{convert|1|cm|in|abbr=on}} in length,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wong |first=Carissa |title=Largest known bacteria in the world are visible to the naked eye |url=https://www.newscientist.com/article/2325909-largest-known-bacteria-in-the-world-are-visible-to-the-naked-eye/ |access-date=2022-06-24 |website=New Scientist |language=en-US}}</ref> making it visible to the naked eye and also about five thousand times the size of more typical ].<ref name="science1">{{cite web|url=https://www.science.org/content/article/largest-bacterium-ever-discovered-has-unexpectedly-complex-cells |first = Elizabeth |last = Pennisi|author-link = Elizabeth Pennisi|title=Largest bacterium ever discovered has unexpectedly complex cells |date=|work=]|publisher=science.org|accessdate=2022-02-24|language=en}}</ref> ] described it as possessing the "size and shape of a human ]."<ref>{{Cite news |date=2022-06-23 |title=Record bacterium discovered as long as human eyelash |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-61911817 |access-date=2022-06-24}}</ref> ] published a new paper on the bacterium on June 23, 2022.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Volland |first1=Jean-Marie |last2=Gonzalez-Rizzo |first2=Silvina |last3=Gros |first3=Olivier |last4=Tyml |first4=Tomáš |last5=Ivanova |first5=Natalia |last6=Schulz |first6=Frederik |last7=Goudeau |first7=Danielle |last8=Elisabeth |first8=Nathalie H. |last9=Nath |first9=Nandita |last10=Udwary |first10=Daniel |last11=Malmstrom |first11=Rex R. |date=2022-06-24 |title=A centimeter-long bacterium with DNA contained in metabolically active, membrane-bound organelles |url=https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abb3634 |journal=Science |language=en |volume=376 |issue=6600 |pages=1453–1458 |doi=10.1126/science.abb3634 |pmid=35737788 |bibcode=2022Sci...376.1453V |s2cid=249990020 |issn=0036-8075}}</ref> According to a study coauthored by Jean-Marie Volland, a marine biologist and scientist at California's Laboratory for Research in Complex Systems, and an affiliate at the US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, ''T. magnifica'' can grow up to 2 centimeters long.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Amarachi Orie |date=June 23, 2022 |title=World's largest bacterium discovered is the size of a human eyelash |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/23/world/worlds-largest-bacteria-magnifica-intl-scli-scn/index.html |access-date=2022-06-28 |website=CNN}}</ref> | |||
| **Not to be confused with the previous family, the largest of the well-known ]s is the aberrant ] (''Icteria virens''), which can exceptionally measure up to 22 cm (8.7 in) and weigh 53 g (1.9 oz).<ref>. Allaboutbirds.org</ref><ref>. Tnwatchablewildlife.org</ref> | |||
| **Another large family is the ]s, the largest of which is the south Asian ] (''Pycnonotus zeylanicus''), to 94 g (3.3 oz) and 29 cm (11 in). The diverse, large family of ] can reach 35 cm (14 in) and 170 g (6.0 oz) in the south Asian ] (''Garrulax pectoralis'').<ref>. Zootierliste.de</ref> | |||
| *'''Cyanobacteria''' | |||
| **The familiar domesticated species, the ] (''Padda oryzivora''), is (in the wild) the largest ], at up to 28.3 g (1 oz) and 17 cm (6.7 in).<ref>. Answers.com (2006-05-11)</ref> **The largest ], perhaps the most diverse ]n bird family, is the ] (''Gymnomyza aubryana''), at up to 290 g (10 oz)<ref name = "CRC"/> and 30 cm (12 in). The largest of the ] is the ] (''Mycerobas affinis'') of central and south Asia at up to 23 cm (9.1 in) and 80 g (2.8 oz).<ref>Clement, Peter, ''Finches & Sparrows''. Princeton University Press (1999), ISBN 978-0-691-04878-9</ref> | |||
| :One of the largest "]" is '']'', whose filamentous cells can be 50 μm wide.<ref name = Stal2007>{{Cite book|last = Stal|first = Lucas J.|year = 2007|contribution = Diversity and Versatility, Clues to Life in Extreme Environments|title = Algae and Cyanobacteria in Extreme Environments|series = Cellular Origin, Life in Extreme Habitats and Astrobiology|volume = 11, Part 7|editor = Seckbach, J.|pages = |place = Dordrecht, The Netherlands|publisher = Springer|doi = 10.1007/978-1-4020-6112-7_36|isbn = 978-1-4020-6111-0|url = https://archive.org/details/algaecyanobacter0000unse/page/659}}</ref> | |||
| **Among the largest bird families, the ], reaches its largest size in the ] (''Pipilo aberti'') of Southwest United States and north Mexico at up to 23 cm (9.1 in) and 80 g (2.8 oz).<ref>Byers, Clive, ''Sparrows and Buntings: A Guide to the sparrows and Buntings of North America and the World''. Houghton Mifflin (1997), ASIN B000ZFNLXS</ref> | |||
| **Closely related to the previous family is the ]s, which can range up to 140 g (4.9 oz) in the Andean-forest-dwelling ] (''Sericossypha albocristata'').<ref name="CRC"/> Another species-rich ] family is the ], **the largest of which, the ] (''Xiphocolaptes major'') of the Amazonian rainforests, can weigh up to 162 g (5.7 oz) and 35 cm (14 in). The specialized ] family can range up to 156 g (5.5 oz) and 35.5 cm (14 in) in the ] (''Batara cinerea'').<ref name = "CRC"/> Among the most variably sized passerine families is the ]s. | |||
| ==Viruses== | |||
| **The largest icterid is the ] (''Psarocolius bifasciatus''), in which males can range up to 52 cm (1.7 ft) and 550 g (1.2 lb).<ref>Hilty, Steven L., ''Birds of Venezuela''. Princeton University Press (2003), ISBN 978-0-691-09250-8</ref> The latter species competes with the similarly sized ] (''Cephalopterus ornatus'') as the largest passerine in ]. | |||
| ] | |||
| ] is one of the world's largest flying birds.]] | |||
| The largest virus on record is '']'', with the length of 4 micrometres, comparable to the typical size of a bacterium and large enough to be seen in light microscopes. It was discovered in 2018 (being mistaken for ]s beforehand), having been found on an ] in the genus '']''.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Barthélémy |first1=Roxane-Marie |title=Serendipitous Discovery in a Marine Invertebrate (Phylum Chaetognatha) of the Longest Giant Viruses Reported till Date |journal=Biology |date=8 January 2019}}</ref> Prior to this discovery, the largest virus was the peculiar virus genus '']'', which have a size of approximately 1 ] and whose genome contains 1,900,000 to 2,500,000 base pairs of DNA.<ref name="Brumfiel">{{cite news | url=https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2013/07/18/203298244/worlds-biggest-virus-may-have-ancient-roots | title=World's Biggest Virus May Have Ancient Roots | work=National Public Radio | date=18 July 2013 | access-date=18 July 2013 | author=Brumfiel, Geoff}}</ref> | |||
| *'''Cormorants and allies''' (]) | |||
| **The ]s rank amongst the largest flying birds. The largest species of pelican is the Eurasian ] (''Pelecanus crispus''), which attains a length of 1.83 m (6.0 ft) and a body weight of 15 kg (33 lb). The ] (''P. onocrotalus'') of Europe and Africa is nearly as large. The ] (''P. conspicillatus'') is slightly smaller but has the largest bill of any bird, at as much as 49 cm (19 in) long.<ref name="birding"/> A large pelican can attain a wingspan of 3.6 m (11.8 ft), second only to the ]es among all living birds.<ref name="Harrison">Harrison, Peter, ''Seabirds: An Identification Guide''. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (1991), ISBN 978-0-395-60291-1</ref> | |||
| '']'' infects ] specifically, however '']'' infects '']'' ]. | |||
| **The largest of the ]s is the ] of the Galapagos Islands (''Phalacrocorax harrisi''), at up to 5 kg (11 lb) and 1 m (3.3 ft), although large races in the ] (''P. carbo'') can weigh up to 5.3 kg (12 lb).<ref>. Ecostravel.com</ref><ref>Philip H.R. Stepney. . The Canadian Encyclopedia</ref> The ] of the North Pacific (''P. perspicillatus''), which went extinct around 1850, was larger still, averaging around 6.4 kg (14 lb) and 1.15 m (3.8 ft).<ref>. Calacademy.org</ref> | |||
| **The widely distributed ] is of note for having an extremely large wingspan, up to 2.5 m (8.2 ft), for its relatively light body, at up to only 1.9 kg (4.2 lb).<ref>. Allaboutbirds.org</ref> | |||
| ==See also== | |||
| **A family of birds, ] or pseudotooth birds, included several species that were behind only '']'' in size among all flying birds. Characterized by the tooth-like protrusions along their bills, this unique family has been variously allied with the ], the ], the ]s and even the ]. Their true linkage to extant birds remains in question, though pelecaniformes are the group most regularly considered related. Some of the largest pseudotooth birds have included, '']'' of the late ] from the North Pacific, '']'', from the ] era in what is now ] and '']'', from Eocene era Europe. A new, unnamed species has been discovered which may outsize even these giants. Superficially ]-like, each of these pseudotooth species may have attained lengths of 2.1 m (7 ft) long and wingspans of at least 6 m (20 ft). Body mass in these slender birds was probably only up to around 29 kg (64 lb).<ref> Encyclopædia Britannica Online</ref><ref>. Dinosaurs.about.com (2011-06-16)</ref><ref>{{cite doi|10.1080/02724634.2010.501465}}</ref> | |||
| {{div col|colwidth=30em}} | |||
| *'''Flamingos''' (]) | |||
| * ] | |||
| :The largest flamingo is the ] (''Phoenicopterus ruber'') of Eurasia and Africa. One of the tallest flying birds in existence when standing upright (exceeded only by the tallest ]s), this species typically weighs 3.5 kg (7.7 lb) and stands up to 1.53 m (5.0 ft) tall. However, at maximum size, a male can weigh up to 4.55 kg (10.0 lb) and stand as high as 1.87 m (6.1 ft).<ref>. tourduvalat.org</ref> Wingspan is relatively small in flamingos, but can range up to 1.65 m (5.4 ft).<ref>. Seaworld.org</ref> | |||
| * ] | |||
| ] is the largest species in the ] order as well as one of the most colorful.]] | |||
| * ] | |||
| *'''Woodpeckers and allies''' (]) | |||
| * ] | |||
| **The largest species of this diverse order is the ] (''Ramphastos toco'') of the neotropic forest. Large specimens of this toucan can weigh to 870 g (1.9 lb) and 0.65 m (2.1 ft), at which size the magnificent beak alone could measure about 20 cm (7.9 in).<ref name = "Short">Short, Lester & Horne, Jennifer, ''Toucans, Barbets and Honeyguides (Bird Families of the World)''. Oxford University Press (2002), ISBN 978-0-19-854666-5</ref> | |||
| * ] | |||
| **The largest woodpecker was, at least until the 20th century, the ] (''Campephilus imperialis'') of ]. This species had a length of up to 0.6 m (2.0 ft) and is generally believed to have gone extinct following habitat destruction and hunting.<ref>. Birdlife.org</ref> The closely related ] (''Campephilus principalis'') of the Southeast United States and Cuba approached similar sizes at up to 0.5 m (1.6 ft), a 0.78 m (2.6 ft) wingspan and a mass of at least 530 g (1.2 lb). Despite possibilities that it has survived in some deep swamp forests in ] or ], the Ivory-billed is generally considered to have succumed to the same man-made pressures as its larger cousin.<ref>. Birds.cornell.edu</ref> Faring better so far, the ] (''Mulleripicus pulverulentus'') of southeast ] is the largest woodpecker certain to exist, with a weight of up to 500 g (1.1 lb) and a length of up to 0.58 m (1.9 ft).<ref>Winkler, et al., ''Woodpeckers: An Identification Guide to the Woodpeckers of the World''. Houghton Mifflin (1995), ISBN 978-0-395-72043-1</ref> | |||
| * ] | |||
| **Less well-known than the woodpeckers and toucans, the ] can range up to 273 g (9.6 oz) and 33 cm (13 in) in the ] (''Megalaima virens'').<ref name = "Short"/> | |||
| * ] | |||
| **Largest is jacamar are ] (''Jacamerops aureus'') Measures 29,5 a 30 ] in length and weighs between 63 y 70 ].<ref name=WA>; ''WikiAves''.</ref> The adult male chin, cheeks and upper region all bright metallic green with gold overtones, with a bluish tinge on the chin, forehead and tail and purple copper on the back, The lower part of the throat is white and the rest of the lower region is deep rufous, ferruginso. The primaries are black, blue-black tail is below the beak is black and the legs are dark horn-colored. The female resembles the male, but no white spot on the throat. .<ref name=ECR>Elizondo, Luis Humberto (2000) ; ''Especies de Costa Rica''. INBio.</ref> | |||
| * ] | |||
| *'''Grebes''' (]) | |||
| * ] | |||
| :The largest species of grebe is the ]n ] (''Podiceps major''). It can reach a length of 0.8 m (2.6 ft), a 1 m (3 ft) wingspan and a weigh of over 2 kg (4.4 lb).<ref>del Hoyo, Elliott & Sargatal. ''Handbook of Birds of the World, Volume 1 Ostrich to Ducks''. ISBN 84-87334-10-5</ref> | |||
| * ] | |||
| ] is the largest sea bird]] | |||
| * ] | |||
| *'''Tubenoses''' (]) | |||
| * ] | |||
| **The largest species is ] (''Diomedea exulans'') of the sub-Antarctic oceans, which also has the largest wingspan of any living bird. The maximum dimensions in this species are a length of 1.44 m (4.6 ft) and a wingspan of 3.65 m (12.0 ft).<ref name=birding/> Unverified albatross have been reported to 5.3 m (17 ft).<ref name="Wood"/> Immature wandering albatrosses have weighed as much as 15.9 kg (35 lb) at the time of their first flights, though the maximum reported weight in adults in 12.7 kg (29 lb).<ref name = "Wood"/> | |||
| * ] | |||
| **The ] (''Diomedea epomophora'') lags behind the Wandering only slightly in all aspects of size.<ref name="Harrison"/> These great birds can fly for hours on the ocean winds without flapping or needing to land. | |||
| * ] | |||
| *'''Hoatzin''' (]) | |||
| * ] | |||
| :The ] (''Opisthocomus hoazin''), Hoatzin is a ]-sized South American bird, with a total length of 65 cm (26 in) and a maximum weight of 1 kg (2.2 lb), and has a long neck and small head. It has an unfeathered blue face with ] eyes, and its head is topped by a spiky, rufous crest. The long sooty-brown tail is broadly tipped ]. The upperparts are dark sooty-brown edge | |||
| {{div col end}} | |||
| *'''Parrots''' (]) | |||
| {{Records|state=collapsed}} | |||
| ] is largest parrot]] | |||
| **The largest parrot by length and wingspan is the endangered ] (''Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus'') of the neotropic lowlands, reaching a length of nearly 1.2 m (3.9 ft) long, and a wingspan of 1.4 m (4.6 ft); it weighs only 2 kg (4.4 lb).<ref>. Sarapetstudios.com (2011-10-05)</ref> The heaviest parrot is the nearly extinct ] (''Strigops habroptila''),<ref>{{cite doi|10.1676/1559-4491(2006)1182.0.CO;2}}</ref> which is part of the unique ] family. The strange, flightless kakapo may not exceed 0.68 m (2.2 ft) in length, it can however weigh up to 4.1 kg (9 lb).<ref>Elliott, Greaeme P (2006). . ''Society'' 53(1): 164-172</ref> | |||
| ==References== | |||
| **The largest species in the ] family is the Australasian ] (''Probosciger aterrimus''), at up to 0.6 m (2.0 ft) long and a weight of 1.2 kg (2.6 lb).<ref>Forshaw, Joseph, ''Parrots of the World''. TFH Publications (1978), ISBN 978-0-87666-959-4</ref> | |||
| ===Notes=== | |||
| *'''Sandgrouse''' (]) | |||
| {{Notelist}} | |||
| :The ] (''Pterocles orientalis'') is the largest sandgrouse, at a maximum size of 634 g (1.4 lb) and 45 cm (18 in).<ref>del Hoyo, Elliott & Sargatal. ''Handbook of Birds of the World, Volume 4: Sandgrouse to Cuckoos''. ISBN 84-87334-22-9</ref> | |||
| ] is one of the heaviest living birds as well as the largest penguin.]] | |||
| ===Citations=== | |||
| *'''Penguins''' (]) | |||
| {{Reflist|35em}} | |||
| :The largest species is easily the ] (''Aptenodytes forsteri'') of the Antarctic, with a maximum height of 1.35 m (4.3 ft) and weight of 46 kg (102 lb).<ref name = "Wood"/> The next largest living species is the ], which grows up to a maximum of 18 kg (40 lb) and 1 m (3 ft) tall.<ref>{{cite journal|title=Field Immobilization of King Penguins with Tiletamine-Zolazepam (Uso de tiletamine-zolazepam para inmobilizar Aptenodytes patagonicus en el campo)|author=Marie-Anne Thil and René Groscolas|journal=Journal of Field Ornithology|volume=73|issue= 3|year=2002|pages=308–317|jstor=4131109}}</ref> At one time, possibly competing with the ]ian ]s, a number of giant penguins existed. The largest is believed to be '']'', having reached a height of 1.8 m (5.9 ft) and a weight of up to 108 kg (240 lb).<ref>. app.pan.pl</ref> | |||
| ] is one of the biggest owls]] | |||
| == External links == | |||
| *'''Owls''' (]) | |||
| * Melissa Breyer. ] April 28, 2015 | |||
| **The most massive owl is certainly either the ] (''Bubo bubo'') or the endangered and similarly sized ] (''Bubo blakistoni'') of coastal Russia and Japan. Record-sized specimens of both species have weighed about 4.5 kg (10 lb) and measured over 0.75 m (2.5 ft) long.<ref>. Quillcards.com (2009-09-23)</ref> In either species, the wingspan can range up to 2 m (6.6 ft).<ref>. Pauldfrost.co.uk.</ref><ref name= Owl>''A Guide to the Owls of the World'' by Konig, Weick & Becking. Yale University Press (1999), ISBN 0300142277</ref> Longer still, but not as massive as the previous species (never more than 1.8 kg (4.0 lb) in weight), a large female ] (''Strix nebulosa'') from the northern boreal forests can range up to 0.83 m (2.7 ft).<ref>. OwlPages.</ref> | |||
| {{Records}} | |||
| **The largest of the ] family is the Tasmanian subspecies (possibly full species) of the ] (''Tyto novaehollandiae castanops''), which weighs up to 1.4 kg (3.1 lb) and measures to 0.6 m (2.0 ft).<ref name= Owl/> The largest owl known to have existed was '']'' of Cuba, a uniquely ] owl. The giant bird was estimated to stand over 1.1 m (3.6 ft) on the ground and to weigh at least 9.05 kg (20.0 lb).<ref>Arredondo, Oscar (1976) translated Olson, Storrs L. ''The Great Predatory Birds of the Pleistocene of Cuba'' pp. 169–187 in "Smithsonian Contributions to Paleobiology number 27; Collected Papers in Avian Paleontology Honoring the 90th Birthday of Alexander Wetmore"</ref> | |||
| ] ranks as the largest species]] | |||
| {{DEFAULTSORT:Largest Organisms}} | |||
| *'''Tinamous''' (]) | |||
| ] | |||
| :The largest species of ], a group of chunky, elusive ground-birds from the ] forests, is the ] (''Tinamus tao'') of western South America. It can reach a weight over 2 kg (4.4 lb) and length of over 55 cm (22 in).<ref name= Davies>Davies, Stephen, ''Ratites and Tinamous''. Oxford University Press (2002), ISBN 978-0-19-854996-3</ref> | |||
| ] | |||
| *'''Trogons''' (]) | |||
| :The ] (''Pharomachrus mocinno'') of the montane cloud of Central America is the largest ], though a few other quetzals approach similar sizes. It can weigh more than 226 g (8.0 oz) and, in females and non-breeding or immature males, measure up to 0.4 m (1.3 ft) from the head to the tail. However, when the adult male develops his spectacular tail streamers, his total length is boosted an extra 0.6 m (2.0 ft).<ref>Johnsgard, Paul A., ''Trogons and Quetzals of the World''. Smithsonian Institution Scholarly Press (2000), ISBN 978-1-56098-388-0</ref> | |||
Latest revision as of 00:47, 18 January 2025
List of largest organisms on Earth
This article lists the largest organisms for various types of life and mostly considers extant species, which found on Earth can be determined according to various aspects of an organism's size, such as: mass, volume, area, length, height, or even genome size. Some organisms group together to form a superorganism (such as ants or bees), but such are not classed as single large organisms. The Great Barrier Reef is the world's largest structure composed of living entities, stretching 2,000 km (1,200 mi) but contains many organisms of many types of species.
When considering singular entities, the largest organisms are clonal colonies which can spread over large areas. Pando, a clonal colony of the quaking aspen tree, is widely considered to be the largest such organism by mass. Even if such colonies are excluded, trees retain their dominance of this listing, with the giant sequoia being the most massive tree. In 2006, a huge clonal colony of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica was discovered south of the island of Ibiza. At 8 kilometres (5 mi) across, and estimated at 100,000 years old, it may be one of the largest and oldest clonal colonies on Earth.
Among animals, the largest species are all marine mammals, specifically whales. The blue whale is believed to be the largest animal to have ever lived. The living land animal classification is also dominated by mammals, with the African bush elephant being the largest of these.
Plants
Main article: List of largest plantsThe largest single-stem tree by wood volume and mass is the giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum), native to Sierra Nevada and California; it typically grows to a height of 70–85 m (230–280 ft) and 5–7 m (16–23 ft) in diameter.
The largest organism in the world, according to mass, is the aspen tree whose colonies of clones can grow up to 8 kilometres (5 mi) in size. The largest such colony is Pando, in the Fishlake National Forest in Utah.
A form of flowering plant that far exceeds Pando as the largest organism on Earth in area and potentially also mass, is the giant marine plant, Posidonia australis, living in Shark Bay, Australia. Its length is about 180 km (112 mi) and it covers an area of 200 km (77 sq mi). It is also among the oldest known clonal plants.
Another giant marine plant of the genus Posidonia, Posidonia oceanica discovered in the Mediterranean near the Balearic Islands, Spain may be the oldest living organism in the world, with an estimated age of 100,000 years.
The largest individual flower in the world is Rafflesia arnoldii, while the flowering plant with the largest unbranched inflorescence in the world is Amorphophallus titanum. Both are native to Sumatra in Indonesia.
Green algae
Green algae are photosynthetic unicellular and multicellular green plants that are related to land plants. The thallus of the unicellular mermaid's wineglass, Acetabularia, can grow to several inches (perhaps 0.1 to 0.2 m) in length. The fronds of the similarly unicellular, and invasive Caulerpa taxifolia can grow up to a foot (0.3 m) long.
Animals
Clockwise from top left: an African bush elephant, the largest extant terrestrial animal; a blue whale, the largest animal ever to exist; and a colossal squid, the largest invertebrate
The largest animal currently alive is the blue whale. The maximum recorded weight was 190 tonnes (209 US tons) for a specimen measuring 27.6 metres (91 ft), whereas longer ones, up to 33 metres (108 ft), have been recorded but not weighed. It is estimated that this individual could have a mass of 250 tonnes or more. The longest non-colonial animal is the lion's mane jellyfish (37 m, 120 ft).
In 2023, paleontologists estimated that the extinct whale Perucetus, discovered in Peru, may have outweighed the blue whale, with a mass of 85 to 340 t (94–375 short tons; 84–335 long tons). However, more recent studies suggest this whale was much smaller than previous estimates putting its weight at 60 to 113 tonnes. While controversial, estimates for the weight of the sauropod Bruhathkayosaurus suggest it was around 110–170 tons, with the highest estimate being 240 tons, if scaled with Patagotitan, although actual fossil remains no longer exist, and that estimation is based on described dimensions in 1987. In April 2024, Ichthyotitan severnensis was established as a valid shastasaurid taxon and is considered both the largest marine reptile ever discovered and the largest macropredator ever discovered. The Lilstock specimen was estimated to be around 26 metres (85 ft) whilst the Aust specimen was an even more impressive 30 to 35 metres (98 to 115 ft) in length. While no weight estimates have been made as of yet, Ichthyotitan would have easily rivalled or surpassed the blue whale. The upper estimates of weight for these prehistoric animals would have easily rivaled or exceeded the largest rorquals and sauropods.
The African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana) is the largest living land animal. A native of various open habitats in sub-Saharan Africa, males weigh about 6.0 tonnes (13,200 lb) on average. The largest elephant ever recorded was shot in Angola in 1974. It was a male measuring 10.67 metres (35.0 ft) from trunk to tail and 4.17 metres (13.7 ft) lying on its side in a projected line from the highest point of the shoulder, to the base of the forefoot, indicating a standing shoulder height of 3.96 metres (13.0 ft). This male had a computed weight of 10.4 to 12.25 tonnes.Fungi
The largest living fungus may be a honey fungus of the species Armillaria ostoyae. A mushroom of this type in the Malheur National Forest in the Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon, U.S. was found to be the largest fungal colony in the world, spanning 8.9 km (2,200 acres) of area. This organism is estimated to be 2,400 years old. The fungus was written about in the April 2003 issue of the Canadian Journal of Forest Research. If this colony is considered a single organism, then it is the largest known organism in the world by area, and rivals the aspen grove "Pando" as the known organism with the highest living biomass. It is not known, however, whether it is a single organism with all parts of the mycelium connected. Approximations of the land area of the Oregon "humongous fungus" are 3.5 square miles (9.1 km) (2,240 acres (910 ha), possibly weighing as much as 35,000 tons as the world's most massive living organism.
A spatial genetic analysis estimated that a specimen of Armillaria ostoyae growing over 91 acres (37 ha) in northern Michigan, United States weighs 440 tons (4 x 10 kg).
In Armillaria ostoyae, each individual mushroom (the fruiting body, similar to a flower on a plant) has only a 5 cm (2.0 in) stipe, and a pileus up to 12.5 cm (4.9 in) across. There are many other fungi which produce a larger individual size mushroom. The largest known fruiting body of a fungus is a specimen of Phellinus ellipsoideus (formerly Fomitiporia ellipsoidea) found on Hainan Island. The fruiting body masses up to 500 kg (1,100 lb).
Until P. ellipsoideus replaced it, the largest individual fruit body came from Rigidoporus ulmarius. R. ulmarius can grow up to 284 kg (626 lb), 1.66 m (5.4 ft) tall, 1.46 m (4.8 ft) across, and has a circumference of up to 4.9 m (16 ft).
Lichen
Umbilicaria mammulata is among the largest lichens in the world. The thallus of U. mammulata is usually 4 to 15 cm (1.6 to 5.9 in) in diameter, but specimens have been known to reach 63-centimetre (2.07 ft) in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee.
The longest lichen is Usnea longissima, which may grow to exceed 20 feet (6.1 m) in length.
Protists
(Note: the group Protista is not used in current taxonomy.)
Amoebozoans (Amoebozoa)
- Among the organisms that are not multicellular, the largest are the slime molds, such as Physarum polycephalum, some of which can reach a diameter over 30 cm (12 in). These organisms are unicellular, but they are multinucleate.
Euglenozoans (Euglenozoa)
- Some euglenophytes, such as certain species of Euglena, reach lengths of 400 μm.
Rhizarians (Rhizaria)
- The largest species traditionally considered protozoa are giant amoeboids like foraminiferans. One such species, the xenophyophore Syringammina fragilissima, can attain a size of 20 cm (7.9 in).
Alveolates (Alveolata)
- The largest ciliates, such as Spirostomum, can attain a length over 4 mm (0.16 in).
Stramenopiles (Stramenopila)
- The largest stramenopiles are giant kelp from the northwestern Pacific. The floating stem of Macrocystis pyrifera can grow to a height of over 45 m (148 ft).
- Macrocystis also qualifies as the largest brown alga, the largest chromist, and the largest protist generally.
Bacteria
The largest known species of bacterium is named Thiomargarita magnifica, which grows to 1 cm (0.39 in) in length, making it visible to the naked eye and also about five thousand times the size of more typical bacteria. BBC News described it as possessing the "size and shape of a human eyelash." Science published a new paper on the bacterium on June 23, 2022. According to a study coauthored by Jean-Marie Volland, a marine biologist and scientist at California's Laboratory for Research in Complex Systems, and an affiliate at the US Department of Energy Joint Genome Institute, T. magnifica can grow up to 2 centimeters long.
- Cyanobacteria
- One of the largest "blue green algae" is Lyngbya, whose filamentous cells can be 50 μm wide.
Viruses
The largest virus on record is Megaklothovirus horridgei, with the length of 4 micrometres, comparable to the typical size of a bacterium and large enough to be seen in light microscopes. It was discovered in 2018 (being mistaken for bristles beforehand), having been found on an arrow worm in the genus Spadella. Prior to this discovery, the largest virus was the peculiar virus genus Pandoravirus, which have a size of approximately 1 micrometer and whose genome contains 1,900,000 to 2,500,000 base pairs of DNA.
Pandoravirus infects amoebas specifically, however Megaklothovirus infects Spadella arrow worms.
See also
- Charismatic megafauna
- Deep-sea gigantism
- Genome size
- Island gigantism
- Largest body part
- Largest prehistoric animals
- List of longest-living organisms
- List of heaviest land mammals
- List of world records held by plants
- List of largest inflorescences
- Lists of organisms by population
- List of longest vines
- Megafauna
- Smallest organisms
- Superorganism
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References
Notes
- The organism sizes listed are frequently considered "outsized" and are not in the normal size range for the respective group.
Citations
- Mihai, Andrei (9 February 2015). "The Heaviest Living Organism in the World". ZME Science. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
- "The Giant Sequoia National Monument". Sequoia National Forest. United States Department of Agriculture - Forest service. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
- "Portuguese scientists discover world's oldest living organism". www.theportugalnews.com. Archived from the original on 2019-01-19. Retrieved 2019-02-14.
- "Ibiza's Monster Marine Plant". Ibiza Spotlight. 28 May 2006. Archived from the original on 27 August 2006. Retrieved 2007-05-09.
- Pearlman, Jonathan (7 February 2012). "'Oldest living thing on earth' discovered". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 7 February 2012. Retrieved 11 February 2012.
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- Zimmer, Carl (29 February 2024). "Researchers Dispute Claim That Ancient Whale Was Heaviest Animal Ever - A new study argues that Perucetus, an ancient whale species, was certainly big, but not as big as today's blue whales". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
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External links
- 10 of the largest living things on the planet Melissa Breyer. TreeHugger April 28, 2015
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