Smallest Organisms - Wikipedia

9/26/21, 12:27 PM Smallest organisms - Wikipedia
Smallest organisms
The smallest organisms found on Earth can be determined
according to various aspects of organism size, including volume,
mass, height, length, or genome size.
Given the incomplete nature of scientific knowledge, it is possible

that the smallest organism is undiscovered. Furthermore, there is
some debate over the definition of life, and what entities qualify
as organisms; consequently the smallest known organism
(microorganism) is debatable.
Contents
Bee hummingbird (Mellisuga
Microorganisms helenae) male, the smallest bird as
well as the smallest known
Viruses
dinosaur
Obligate endosymbiotic bacteria
Pelagibacter ubique
Mycoplasma genitalium
Nanoarchaeum
Eukaryotes
Animals
Molluscs
Bivalvia Grand Cayman pygmy blue
Gastropods (Brephidium exilis thompsoni), the
smallest butterfly
Arthropods
Smallest crustacean
Arachnids
Insects
Echinoderms
Sea urchins
Starfish
Vertebrates
Fish
Amphibians
Salamanders
Frogs
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smallest_organisms#Obligate_endosymbiotic_bacteria 1/14
Reptiles
Lizards
Turtles
Crocodilians
Snakes
Dinosaurs
Birds
Mammals
Rodents
Carnivorans
Marsupials
Primates
Cetaceans
Plants
Flowering plants (angiosperms)
Other
Nanobes
See also
References
External links
Microorganisms
Viruses
Many biologists consider viruses to be non-living because they lack a cellular structure and cannot
metabolize by themselves, requiring a host cell to replicate and synthesize new products. A minority
of scientists hold that, because viruses do have genetic material and can employ the metabolism of
their host, they can be considered organisms. Also, an emerging concept that is gaining traction
among some virologists is that of the virocell, in which the actual phenotype of a virus is the infected
cell, and the virus particle is merely a reproductive or dispersal stage, much like pollen or a spore.[1]
The smallest viruses in terms of genome size are single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) viruses. Perhaps the
most famous is the bacteriophage Phi-X174 with a genome size of 5386 nucleotides.[2] However, some
ssDNA viruses can be even smaller. For example, Porcine circovirus type 1 has a genome of 1759
nucleotides[3] and a capsid diameter of 17 nm.[4] As a whole, the viral family geminiviridae is about
30 nm in length. However, the two capsids making up the virus are fused; divided, the capsids would
be 15 nm in length. Other environmentally characterized ssDNA viruses such as CRESS DNA viruses,
among others, can have genomes that are considerably less than 2,000 nucleotides.[5][6]
The smallest RNA viruses in terms of genome size are small retroviruses such as rous sarcoma virus
with genomes of 3.5 kilo base pairs (kb) and particle diameters of 80 nanometres (nm). The smallest
double-stranded DNA viruses are the hepadnaviruses such as hepatitis B, at 3.2 kb and 42 nm;
parvoviruses have smaller capsids, at 18-26 nm, but larger genomes, at 5 kb. It is important to
consider other self-replicating genetic elements, such as satelliviruses, viroids and ribozymes.
Obligate endosymbiotic bacteria

The genome of Nasuia deltocephalinicola, a symbiont of the European pest leafhopper, Macrosteles
quadripunctulatus, consists of a circular chromosome of 112,031 base pairs.[7]
The genome of Nanoarchaeum equitans is 490,885 nucleotides long.
Pelagibacter ubique
Pelagibacter ubique is one of the smallest known free-living bacteria, with a length of 370 to
890 nm and an average cell diameter of 120 to 200 nm. They also have the smallest free-living
bacterium genome: 1.3 Mbp, 1354 protein genes, 35 RNA genes. They are one of the most common
and smallest organisms in the ocean, with their total weight exceeding that of all fish in the sea.[8]
Mycoplasma genitalium
Mycoplasma genitalium, a parasitic bacterium which lives in the primate bladder, waste disposal
organs, genital, and respiratory tracts, is thought to be the smallest known organism capable of
independent growth and reproduction. With a size of approximately 200 to 300 nm, M. genitalium is
an ultramicrobacterium, smaller than other small bacteria, including rickettsia and chlamydia.
However, the vast majority of bacterial strains have not been studied, and the marine
ultramicrobacterium Sphingomonas sp. strain RB2256 is reported to have passed through a 220 nm
ultrafilter. A complicating factor is nutrient-downsized bacteria, bacteria that become much smaller
due to a lack of available nutrients.[9]
Nanoarchaeum
Nanoarchaeum equitans is a species of microbe 200 to 500 nm in diameter. It
was discovered in 2002 in a hydrothermal vent off the coast of Iceland by Karl
Stetter. A thermophile that grows in near-boiling temperatures, Nanoarchaeum Nanoarchaeum
appears to be an obligatory symbiont on the archaeon Ignicoccus; it must be in equitans and
contact with the host organism to survive. archaeon host,
Ignicoccus
Eukaryotes
Prasinophyte algae of the genus Ostreococcus are the smallest free-living eukaryote. The single cell of
an Ostreococcus measures 0.8 μm across.
Animals
Several species of Myxozoa (obligately parasitic cnidarians) never grow larger than 20 µm.[10] One of
the smallest species (Myxobolus shekel) is no more than 8.5 µm when fully grown.[11]
Molluscs
Bivalvia
The shell of the nut clam Condylonucula maya grows 0.54 mm long.[12]
Gastropods
The smallest water snail (of all snails) is Ammonicera minortalis in North America, originally
described from Cuba. It measures 0.32 to 0.46 mm.[13][14]
The smallest land snail is Acmella nana. Discovered in Borneo, and described in November 2015, it
measures 0.7 mm.[15] The previous record was that of Angustopila dominikae from China, which was
reported in September 2015. This snail measures 0.86 mm.[16]
Arthropods
Smallest crustacean
The smallest crustacean, and indeed the smallest arthropod, is the tantulocarid Stygotantulus stocki,
at a length of 94 μm (0.0037 in).[17]
Arachnids
Spiders
There is a debate between which spider is smallest. According to Guinness World Records, "Two
contenders are from the [Symphytognathidae] genus Patu: males of Patu digua described in Colombia
had a body length of 0.37 millimeters (0.014 inches), while the Samoan moss spider (P. marplesi)
could be as small as 0.4 millimeters (0.011 inches) long."[18] Other possible smallest spider species are
the Frade cave spider known as Anapistula ataecina, and the dwarf orb weaver (Anapistula caecula),
the females of which are 0.43 millimeters and 0.48 millimeters respectively.[18] Males of both species
are potentially smaller than the females, but no Anapistula ataecina or Anapistula caecula have been
measured yet.[18]
Mites
Cochlodispus minimus Mahunka has had an adult individual measured with a body length of 79 μm.
[19] However, PBS claims "The tiniest mite on record is 82 microns long" but does not name a species.
[20]
Insects
Adult males of the parasitic wasp Dicopomorpha echmepterygis can be as small as 139 μm long,
smaller than some species of protozoa (single-cell creatures); females are 40% larger.[21]
Megaphragma caribea from Guadeloupe, measuring 170 μm long, is another contender for smallest
known insect in the world.
Beetles
Beetles of the tribe Nanosellini are all less than 1 mm long; the smallest confirmed specimen is of
Scydosella musawasensis at 325 μm long; a few other nanosellines are reportedly smaller, in
historical literature, but none of these records have been confirmed using accurate modern tools.
These are among the tiniest non-parasitic insects.[22]
Butterflies
The western pygmy blue (Brephidium exilis) is one of the

smallest butterflies in the world, with a wingspan of about 1
centimetre.[23]
Echinoderms
The smallest sea cucumber, and also the smallest echinoderm, is
Psammothuria ganapati, a synaptid that lives between sand Grand Cayman pygmy blue
grains on the coast of India. Its maximum length is 4 mm.[24]
[25] (Brephidium exilis thompsoni)
Sea urchins
The smallest sea urchin, Echinocyamus scaber, has a test 6 mm across.[25]
Starfish
Patiriella parvivipara is the smallest starfish, at 5 mm across.[25]
Vertebrates
The smallest vertebrates (and smallest amphibians) known are Paedophryne amauensis frogs from
Papua New Guinea, which range in length from 7.0–8.0 mm (0.28–0.31 in), and average 7.7 mm
(0.30 in).[26][27] Previously, the title of smallest vertebrate was held by members of the fish genus
Paedocypris of Indonesia.
Fish
One of the smallest fish based on the minimum size at maturity is Paedocypris progenetica from
Indonesia, with mature females measuring as little as 7.9 mm (0.31 in) in standard length.[28] This
fish, a member of the carp family, has a translucent body and a head unprotected by a skeleton.
One of smallest fish based on the minimum size at maturity is

Schindleria brevipinguis from Australia, their females reach
7 mm (0.28 in) and males 6.5 mm (0.26 in),[29] Males of S.
brevipinguis have an average standard length of 7.7 mm
(0.30 in); a gravid female was 8.4 mm (0.33 in).[30] This fish, a
member of the goby family, differs from similar members of the
group in having its first anal fin ray further forward, under dorsal
fin 4.
Male individuals of the anglerfish species Photocorynus spiniceps

have been documented to be 6.2–7.3 mm (0.24–0.29 in) at
maturity, and thus claimed to be a smaller species. However,
these survive only by sexual parasitism and the female
Paratype of Paedophryne
individuals reach the significantly larger size of 50.5 mm amauensis (LSUMZ 95004) on a
(1.99 in).[31][32][33][34] US dime.
Amphibians
Salamanders
The average snout-to-vent length (SVL) of several specimens of the salamander Thorius arboreus was
17 mm (0.67 in).
Frogs
Frogs include the smallest vertebrates known. The smallest known frog species is Paedophryne
amauensis, with a snout-vent length reported as 7.7 mm, which occurs among leaf-litter in the
tropical montane forests of New Guinea. Other very small frogs include Brachycephalus didactylus
from Brazil (reported as 9.6–9.8 mm), several species of Eleutherodactylus such as E. iberia (around
10 mm) and E. limbatus (8.5–12 mm) and Eleutherodactylus orientalis (12.5 mm) from Cuba,
Gardiner's Frog Sechellophryne gardineri from the Seychelles (up to 11 mm), several species of
Stumpffia such as S. tridactyla (8.6–12 mm) and S. pygmaea (males 10–12.5 mm; females: 11 mm)
and Wakea madinika (males: 11–13 mm; females: 15–16 mm) from Madagascar. Paedophryne
swiftorum (body length 8.5 mm) is not included in the smallest vertebrates known with other nine
species of frogs.[35] The two species Microhyla borneensis (males:10.6–13 mm; females:16–
19 mm)[36][37] and Arthroleptella rugosa (males: 11.9–14.1 mm; females:15.5mm) were once the
smallest known frogs from the Old World. In general these extremely small frogs occur in tropical
forest and montane environments. There is relatively little data on size variation among individuals,
growth from metamorphosis to adulthood or size variation among populations in these species.
Additional studies and the discovery of further minute frog species are likely to change the rank order
of this list.
Reptiles
Lizards
Two geckos, the dwarf gecko (Sphaerodactylus ariasae) and the

Virgin Islands dwarf sphaero (S. parthenopion), are the smallest
known reptile species and smallest lizard, with a snout-vent
length of 16 millimetres (0.63 in).[38] A few Brookesia
chameleons from Madagascar are equally small, with a reported
snout-vent length of 15–18 mm for male dwarf chameleons (B.
minima), 14–19 mm for male Mount d'Ambre leaf chameleons
(B. tuberculata)[39] and 15–16 mm for male B. micra,[40] though
females are larger. In 2021, a new species of Brookesia, B. nana,
was discovered, with a snout-vent length of 13.5 mm, possibly
making it the smallest known reptile.[41][42]
A juvenile Brookesia micra on a
Of the aforementioned geckos, S. ariasae was first described in
finger tip
2001 by the biologists Blair Hedges and Richard Thomas. This
dwarf gecko lives in Jaragua National Park in the Dominican
Republic and on Beata Island (Isla Beata), off the southern coast
of the Dominican Republic.[43][44]
Turtles
The smallest turtle is the speckled padloper tortoise (Homopus signatus) from South Africa. The
males measure 6–8 cm (2.4–3.1 in), while females measure up to almost 10 cm (3.9 in).[45]
Crocodilians
The smallest crocodilian is the Cuvier's dwarf caiman (Paleosuchus palpebrosus) from northern and
central South America. It reaches up to 1.6 m (5.2 ft) in length.[46]
Snakes
One of the smallest snakes known is the recently discovered Barbados threadsnake (Leptotyphlops
carlae). Adults average about 10 cm (4 in) long, which is only about twice as long as the hatchlings.
The Common blind snake (Indotyphlops braminus) measures 5.1–10.2 cm (2–4 in) long, occasionally
up to 15 cm (6 in) long.[47][48]
Dinosaurs
The smallest avian dinosaur is the bee hummingbird. The smallest known extinct dinosaur is
Anchiornis, a genus of feathered dinosaur that lived in what is now China during the Late Jurassic
Period 160 to 155 million years ago. Adult specimens range from 34 cm (13 in) long, and the weight
has been estimated at up to 110 g (3.9 oz).[49] Nevertheless, sizes of dinosaurs are commonly labelled
with a level of uncertainty, as the available material often (or even usually) is incomplete.
Birds
With a mass of approximately 1.8 grams (0.063 oz) and a length

of 5 centimetres (2.0 in), the bee hummingbird (Mellisuga
helenae) is the smallest bird species, the smallest warm-blooded
vertebrate, and smallest known dinosaur. Called the zunzuncito
in its native habitat on Cuba, it is lighter than a Canadian or U.S.
penny. It is said that it is "more apt to be mistaken for a bee than
a bird".[50] The bee hummingbird eats half its total body mass
and drinks eight times its total body mass each day. Its nest is
3 cm across.
Mammals
Bee hummingbird (Mellisuga
The vulnerable Kitti's hog-nosed bat (Craseonycteris helenae) immature male
thonglongyai), also known as the bumblebee bat, from Thailand
and Myanmar[51] is the smallest mammal, at 3–4 centimetres
(1.2–1.6 in) in length and 1.5–2 grams (0.053–0.071 oz) in weight.
The Etruscan shrew (Suncus etruscus), is the smallest mammal by mass, weighing about 1.8 g
(0.063 oz) on average.[52] The bumblebee bat has a smaller skull size. The smallest mammal that ever
lived, the shrew-like Batodonoides vanhouteni, weighed 1.3 grams (0.046 oz).
Rodents
The smallest known member of the rodent order is the Baluchistan pygmy jerboa, with an average
body length of 4.4 cm (1.7 in).[53]
Carnivorans
The smallest member of the order Carnivora is the least weasel (Mustela nivalis), with an average
body length of 114–260 mm (4.5-10.2 in). It weighs between 29.5 – 250 grams with females being
lighter.
Marsupials
The smallest marsupial is the long-tailed planigale from Australia. It has a body length of 110–130
millimetres (4.3–5.1 in) (including tail) and weigh 4.3 grams (0.15 oz) on average.
The Pilbara ningaui is considered to be of similar size and weight.[53]
Primates
The smallest member of the primate order is Madame Berthe's mouse lemur (Microcebus berthae),
found in Madagascar,[54] with an average body length of 92 mm (3.6 in).
Cetaceans
The smallest cetacean, which is also (as of 2006) the most endangered, is the vaquita. Male vaquitas
grow to an average of around 135 cm (53 in); the females are slightly longer, averaging about 141 cm
(55 in) in length.
Plants
Flowering plants (angiosperms)

Duckweeds of the genus Wolffia are the smallest flowering
plants.[55] Fully grown, they measure 300 µm by 600 µm and
reach a mass of just 150 µg.
Other
Nanobes
Wolffia arrhiza on human fingers.
Nanobes are thought by some scientists to be the smallest known Every speck of less than 1 mm
organisms,[56] about one tenth the size of the smallest known length is an individual plant.
bacteria. Nanobes, tiny filamental structures first found in some
rocks and sediments, were first described in 1996 by Philippa
Uwins of the University of Queensland.
See also
Largest organisms
Largest prehistoric organisms
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External links
Featherwing beetles (http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/beetles/featherwing_
beetles.htm) on the UF / IFAS Featured Creatures Web site
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9/26/21, 12:27 PM Smallest organisms - Wikipedia

Given the incomplete nature of scientific knowledge, it is possible

Obligate endosymbiotic bacteria

The genome of Nanoarchaeum equitans is 490,885 nucleotides long.

The western pygmy blue (Brephidium exilis) is one of the

Patiriella parvivipara is the smallest starfish, at 5 mm across.[25]

One of smallest fish based on the minimum size at maturity is

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Two geckos, the dwarf gecko (Sphaerodactylus ariasae) and the

With a mass of approximately 1.8 grams (0.063 oz) and a length

The Pilbara ningaui is considered to be of similar size and weight.[53]

Flowering plants (angiosperms)

54. (Retrieved on March 17, 2010). (http://www.primates.co.uk/lemurs/pygmy-mouselemur.html)

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This page was last edited on 20 September 2021, at 02:26 (UTC).

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