Illustration showing a filament of Thiomargarita magnifica (green), red blood cells (red, circle), Vibrio sp. bacteria (orange) and the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma. Growing up to 2 centimetres in length, Thiomargarita magnifica is the world's largest bacteria. In comparison, red blood cells measure up to 8 micrometres in diameter, Vibrio bacteria measure two to three micrometres in length and Trypanosoma measure 12 to 30 micrometres in length. Thiomargarita magnifica is a sulfur-oxidising gammaproteobacteria first discovered in 2009 in the tropical mangroves of Guadeloupe, Lesser Antilles.