smallest organisms#Insects

The genome of Nasuia deltocephalinicola, a symbiont of the European pest leafhopper, Macrosteles quadripunctulatus, consists of a circular chromosome of 112,031 base pairs.{{cite journal|last1=Bennett|first1=Gordon M.|last2=Abbà|first2=Simona|last3=Kube|first3=Michael|last4=Marzachì|first4=Cristina|title=Complete Genome Sequences of the Obligate Symbionts 'Candidatus Sulcia muelleri' and "Ca. Nasuia deltocephalinicola" from the Pestiferous Leafhopper Macrosteles quadripunctulatus (Hemiptera: Cicadellidae)|journal=Genome Announcements|date=25 February 2016|volume=4|issue=1|pages=e01604–15|doi=10.1128/genomeA.01604-15|language=en|issn=2169-8287|pmc=4722273|pmid=26798106}}

The genome of Nanoarchaeum equitans is 491 Kbp nucleotides long.{{cite journal | last1=Waters | first1=Elizabeth | last2=Hohn | first2=Michael J. | last3=Ahel | first3=Ivan | last4=Graham | first4=David E. | last5=Adams | first5=Mark D. | last6=Barnstead | first6=Mary | last7=Beeson | first7=Karen Y. | last8=Bibbs | first8=Lisa | last9=Bolanos | first9=Randall | last10=Keller | first10=Martin | last11=Kretz | first11=Keith | last12=Lin | first12=Xiaoying | last13=Mathur | first13=Eric | last14=Ni | first14=Jingwei | last15=Podar | first15=Mircea | last16=Richardson | first16=Toby | last17=Sutton | first17=Granger G. | last18=Simon | first18=Melvin | last19=Söll | first19=Dieter | last20=Stetter | first20=Karl O. | last21=Short | first21=Jay M. | last22=Noordewier | first22=Michiel | title=The genome of Nanoarchaeum equitans: Insights into early archaeal evolution and derived parasitism | journal=Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences | volume=100 | issue=22 | date=2003-10-17 | issn=0027-8424 | doi=10.1073/pnas.1735403100 | doi-access=free | pages=12984–12988| pmid=14566062 | pmc=240731 | bibcode=2003PNAS..10012984W }}

File:Pelagibacter.jpg]]

Pelagibacter ubique is one of the smallest known free-living bacteria, with a length of {{cvt|370|to|890|nm|mm}} and an average cell diameter of {{cvt|120|to|200|nm|mm}}. 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.{{cite web|url=https://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/Pelagibacter_ubique|title=Pelagibacter ubique - microbewiki|website=microbewiki.kenyon.edu|access-date=19 April 2018}}

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 {{cvt|220|nm|mm}} ultrafilter. A complicating factor is nutrient-downsized bacteria, bacteria that become much smaller due to a lack of available nutrients.{{cite web|url=http://www.madsci.org/posts/archives/sep2001/1001464156.Gb.r.html |title=Re: What is the smallest living thing? |publisher=Madsci.org |access-date=2013-10-03}}

File:Urzwerg.jpg and archaeon host, Ignicoccus]]

Nanoarchaeum equitans is a species of microbe {{cvt|200|to|500|nm|mm}} 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 appears to be an obligatory symbiont on the archaeon Ignicoccus; it must be in contact with the host organism to survive. Guinness World Records recognizes Nanoarchaeum equitans as the smallest living organism.{{cite web | title=Smallest living organism | website=Guinness World Records | date=2011-01-25 | url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/smallest-living-organism- | access-date=2024-12-04}}

Prasinophyte algae of the genus Ostreococcus are the smallest free-living eukaryote. The single cell of an Ostreococcus measures {{cvt|800|nm|mm}} across.{{cite journal|vauthors=Courties C, Vaquer A, Troussellier M, Lautier J, Chrétiennot-Dinet MJ, Neveux J, Machado C, Claustre H|year=1994|title=Smallest eukaryotic organism|journal=Nature|volume=370|issue=255|page=255 |doi=10.1038/370255a0|s2cid=4321127|doi-access=free|bibcode=1994Natur.370..255C }}

The Erebor lineage of Microheliella maris is the smallest known heliozoan with an average cell body diameter of 2.56 μm.{{cite journal|vauthors=Shishkin Y, Drachko D, Zlatogursky VV|title=The smallest known heliozoans are the Erebor lineage (nom. clad. n.) inside Microheliella maris (Eukaryota, Diaphoretickes), with the amendation of M. maris diagnosis and description of Berkeleyaesol magnus gen. nov., comb. nov. (Eukaryota, incertae sedis)|journal=Int J Syst Evol Microbiol|date=April 2021|volume=71|issue=4|doi=10.1099/ijsem.0.004776|pmid=33886450|url=https://www.microbiologyresearch.org/docserver/fulltext/ijsem/71/4/ijsem004776.pdf|accessdate=2024-06-13}}

The smallest diatoms with diameters as small as 1.9 μm can be found in the genera Mediolabrus and Minidiscus.{{Cite web |title=Home - Minidiscus variabilis CCMP495 v1.0 |url=https://phycocosm.jgi.doe.gov/Mintr2/Mintr2.home.html |access-date=2025-04-26 |website=phycocosm.jgi.doe.gov}}{{Cite journal |last1=Jewson |first1=David |last2=Kuwata |first2=Akira |last3=Cros |first3=Lluïsa |last4=Fortuño |first4=José Manuel |last5=Estrada |first5=Marta |date=2016-09-30 |title=Morphological adaptations to small size in the marine diatom Minidiscus comicus |url=https://scientiamarina.revistas.csic.es/index.php/scientiamarina/article/view/1660 |journal=Scientia Marina |volume=80 |issue=S1 |pages=89–96 |doi=10.3989/scimar.04331.06C |bibcode=2016ScMar..80S..89J |issn=1886-8134|hdl=10261/138162 |hdl-access=free }} Mediolabrus comicus is the smallest known marine diatom.{{Cite journal |last1=Arsenieff |first1=Laure |last2=Le Gall |first2=Florence |last3=Rigaut-Jalabert |first3=Fabienne |last4=Mahé |first4=Frédéric |last5=Sarno |first5=Diana |last6=Gouhier |first6=Léna |last7=Baudoux |first7=Anne-Claire |last8=Simon |first8=Nathalie |date=2020 |title=Diversity and dynamics of relevant nanoplanktonic diatoms in the Western English Channel |journal=The ISME Journal |volume=14 |issue=8 |pages=1966–1981 |doi=10.1038/s41396-020-0659-6 |issn=1751-7370 |pmc=7367886 |pmid=32350410|bibcode=2020ISMEJ..14.1966A }}

Some 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. Some 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 (or virion) is merely a reproductive or dispersal stage, much like pollen or a spore.{{cite journal |author1=P. Forterre |title=The virocell concept and environmental microbiology|journal=The ISME Journal|year=2012|doi=10.1038/ismej.2012.110 |volume=7 |issue=2|pages=233–236|pmc=3554396 |pmid=23038175}}

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 5,386 nucleotides.{{cite journal |doi=10.1038/265687a0 |title=Nucleotide sequence of bacteriophage ΦX174 DNA |year=1977 |last1=Sanger |first1=F. |last2=Air |first2=G. M. |last3=Barrell |first3=B. G. |last4=Brown |first4=N. L. |last5=Coulson |first5=A. R. |last6=Fiddes |first6=J. C. |last7=Hutchison |first7=C. A. |last8=Slocombe |first8=P. M. |last9=Smith |first9=M. |journal=Nature |volume=265 |issue=5596 |pages=687–95 |pmid=870828|bibcode = 1977Natur.265..687S |s2cid=4206886 }} However, some ssDNA viruses can be even smaller. For example, Porcine circovirus type 1 has a genome of 1,759 nucleotides{{cite journal |title=APorcine circoviruses--small but powerful |vauthors=Finsterbusch T, Mankertz A |year=2009 | journal = Virus Research | volume = 143 | issue = 2 | pages = 177–183 | pmid=19647885 | doi=10.1016/j.virusres.2009.02.009}} and a capsid diameter of {{cvt|17|nm|mm}}.[http://phene.cpmc.columbia.edu/ICTVdB/WWW/16002005.htm ICTVdB Virus Description – 00.016.0.01.005. Porcine circovirus 2] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070704162350/http://phene.cpmc.columbia.edu/ICTVdB/WWW/16002005.htm |date=July 4, 2007 }} As a whole, the viral family geminiviridae is about {{cvt|30|nm|mm}} in length. However, the two capsids making up the virus are fused; divided, the capsids would be {{cvt|15|nm|mm}} 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.{{cite journal |author1=K. Rosario |author2=R.O. Schenck |author3=R.C. Harbeitner |author4=S.N. Lawler |author5=M. Breitbart |title=Novel circular single-stranded DNA viruses identified in marine invertebrates reveal high sequence diversity and consistent predicted intrinsic disorder patterns within putative structural proteins |journal=Frontiers in Microbiology|year=2015|doi=10.3389/fmicb.2015.00696 |volume=6 |pages=696 |pmc=4498126 |pmid=26217327|doi-access=free }}{{cite journal |author1=J.M. Labonté |author2=C.A. Suttle|title=Previously unknown and highly divergent ssDNA viruses populate the oceans|journal=The ISME Journal|year=2013|doi=10.1038/ismej.2013.110 |volume=7 |issue=11|pages=2169–2177|pmc=3806263 |pmid=23842650|bibcode=2013ISMEJ...7.2169L }}

The smallest RNA virus in terms of genome size is phage BZ13 strain T72 at 3,393 nucleotides length.{{cite web |url=https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/nuccore/FJ483838 | title= Enterobacteria phage BZ13 strain T72, complete genome |year=2008}} Viruses using both DNA and RNA in their replication (retroviruses) range in size from 7,040 to 12,195 nucleotides.{{cite book |section=Table 2: Sizes of Retroviral LTR Components (U3-R-U5) and Genomes |title=Retroviruses |veditors=Coffin JM, Hughes SH, Varmus HE | publisher=Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press | date=1997 | isbn=0-87969-571-4 |section-url=https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK19417/table/A7789}} The smallest double-stranded DNA viruses are the hepadnaviruses such as hepatitis B, at 3.2 kb and {{cvt|42|nm|mm}}; parvoviruses have smaller capsids, at {{cvt|18|-|26|nm|mm}}, but larger genomes, at 5 kb. It is important to consider other self-replicating genetic elements, such as obelisks, ribozymes, satelliviruses and viroids.{{cn|date=March 2024}}

Several species of Myxozoa (obligately parasitic cnidarians) never grow larger than {{cvt|20|μm|mm}}.Fiala, Ivan. 2008. Myxozoa. Version 10 July 2008 (under construction). http://tolweb.org/Myxozoa/2460/2008.07.10 in The Tree of Life Web Project, http://tolweb.org/ One of the smallest species (Myxobolus shekel) is no more than {{cvt|8.5|μm|mm}} when fully grown, making it the smallest known animal.{{cite journal|title=Two new species of Myxobolus (Myxozoa: Myxosporea: Bivalvulida) infecting an Indian major carp and a cat fish in wetlands of Punjab, India | pmc=3235390 | pmid=23024499 | doi=10.1007/s12639-011-0061-4 | volume=35 | year=2011 | journal=J Parasit Dis | pages=169–76 | last1 = Kaur | first1 = H | last2 = Singh | first2 = R| issue=2 }}

The shell of the nut clam Condylonucula maya grows {{cvt|0.54|mm}} long.{{cite journal |last1=Abele |first1=Doris |last2=Brey |first2=Thomas |last3=Philipp |first3=Eva |title=Part N, Revised, Volume 1, Chapter 7: Ecophysiology of Extant Marine Bivalvia|journal= Treatise Online |date=15 February 2017 |url=https://journals.ku.edu/treatiseonline/article/view/6583 |doi=10.17161/to.v0i0.6583|doi-access=free }}

File:Ammonicera minortalis (10.3897-zookeys.779.24562) Figure 4 (cropped).jpg]]

The smallest water snail (of all snails) is Ammonicera minortalis in North America, originally described from Cuba. It measures {{cvt|0.32|to|0.46|mm}}.{{cite journal|last1=Páll-Gergely|first1=Barna|last2=Hunyadi|first2=András|last3=Jochum|first3=Adrienne|last4=Asami|first4=Takahiro|title=Seven new hypselostomatid species from China, including some of the world's smallest land snails (Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Orthurethra)|journal=ZooKeys|date=28 September 2015|issue=523|pages=31–62|doi=10.3897/zookeys.523.6114|pmid=26478698|pmc=4602296|doi-access=free|bibcode=2015ZooK..523...31P }}{{cite news|last1=Sankar-Gorton|first1=Eliza|title=Newly Discovered Land Snail Is The Tiniest In The World|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/new-land-snail-tiniest-in-the-world_n_563907f9e4b079a43c04dfe2|access-date=9 November 2015|work=HuffPost|date=4 November 2015}}

The smallest land snail is Acmella nana. Discovered in Borneo, and described in November 2015, it measures {{cvt|0.7|mm}}.{{cite news|last1=Geggel|first1=Laura|title=Micro Mollusk Breaks Record for World's Tiniest Snail|url=http://www.livescience.com/52664-borneo-smallest-snail.html|access-date=8 November 2015|work=LiveScience|date=2 November 2015}} The previous record was that of Angustopila dominikae from China, which was reported in September 2015. This snail measures {{cvt|0.86|mm}}.{{cite journal|last1=Páll-Gergely|first1=Barna|last2=Hunyadi|first2=András|last3=Jochum|first3=Adrienne|last4=Asami|first4=Takahiro|title=Seven new hypselostomatid species from China, including some of the world's smallest land snails (Gastropoda, Pulmonata, Orthurethra)|journal=ZooKeys|year=2015|issue=523|pages=31–62|doi=10.3897/zookeys.523.6114|pmid=26478698|pmc=4602296|doi-access=free|bibcode=2015ZooK..523...31P }}

{{further|Cephalopod size}}

Maximites was the smallest known ammonoid. Adult specimens reached only {{cvt|10|mm}} in shell diameter.{{cite book |vauthors=Nishiguchi MK, Mapes R |date=2008 |url=https://bobtailsquid.ink/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Nish2008_Book_PhylEvolMolusca_Cephlopoda.pdf |chapter=Cephalopoda |veditors=Ponder W, Lindberg D |title=Phylogeny and Evolution of the Mollusca |publisher=University of California Press |pages=162–199}}

The smallest arthropods are mites Cochlodispus minimus of the family Microdispidae. The body length of the smallest measured individual was {{cvt|79|μm|mm}}.{{Cite journal|last1=Huber|first1=John|last2=Noyes|first2=John|date=2013-04-24|title=A new genus and species of fairyfly, Tinkerbella nana (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae), with comments on its sister genus Kikiki, and discussion on small size limits in arthropods|url=https://jhr.pensoft.net/article/1635/|journal=Journal of Hymenoptera Research|language=en|volume=32|pages=17–44|doi=10.3897/jhr.32.4663|issn=1314-2607|doi-access=free}}

The smallest crustaceans belong to the class Tantulocarida. The single smallest species may be Tantulacus dieteri, with a total body length of only {{convert|85|um}}.{{cite journal |title=Tantulocarida (Crustacea) of the Southern Ocean deep sea, and the description of three new species of Tantulacus Huys, Andersen & Kristensen, 1992|author=Inga Mohrbeck |author2=Pedro Martínez Arbizu |author3=Thomas Glatzel |name-list-style=amp |journal=Systematic Parasitology |volume=77 |issue=2 |date=October 2010 |pages=131–151 |doi=10.1007/s11230-010-9260-0|pmid=20852984 }} Another candidate is Stygotantulus stocki, with a length of {{convert|94|um}}.{{cite book|url=http://atiniui.nhm.org/pdfs/3839/3839.pdf |title=An Updated Classification of the Recent Crustacea |author=Joel W. Martin |author2=George E. Davis |name-list-style=amp |year=2001 |pages=132 pp |publisher=Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081010140511/http://atiniui.nhm.org/pdfs/3839/3839.pdf |archive-date=October 10, 2008}}

• There is a debate about 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 {{convert|0.37|mm|in|abbr=off}}, while the Samoan moss spider (P. marplesi) could be as small as {{convert|0.4|mm|in|abbr=off}} long."{{Cite web|title=Smallest spider|url=https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/smallest-spider/?fb_comment_id=652554088203316_761224827336241|access-date=2021-04-16|website=Guinness World Records|language=en-GB}} 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 {{cvt|0.43|mm}} and {{cvt|0.48|mm}} respectively. Males of both species are potentially smaller than the females, but no male Anapistula ataecina or Anapistula caecula have been measured yet.
• Cochlodispus minimus is the smallest mite. An adult individual measured with a body length of {{cvt|79|μm|mm}}.{{Cite journal|last1=Huber|first1=John|last2=Noyes|first2=John|date=2013-04-24|title=A new genus and species of fairyfly, Tinkerbella nana (Hymenoptera, Mymaridae), with comments on its sister genus Kikiki, and discussion on small size limits in arthropods|url=https://jhr.pensoft.net/article/1635/|journal=Journal of Hymenoptera Research|language=en|volume=32|pages=17–44|doi=10.3897/jhr.32.4663|issn=1314-2607|doi-access=free}} However, PBS claims "The tiniest mite on record is 82 microns long" but does not name a species.{{Cite web|date=2016-09-02|title=Meet the mite, the tiny bugs in your mattress, your tea and on your face|url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/meet-millions-mighty-mites-live-plants-pretty-much-everywhere-else|access-date=2021-04-16|website=PBS NewsHour|language=en-us}}

• Adult males of the parasitic wasp Dicopomorpha echmepterygis can be as small as {{cvt|139|μm|mm}} long, smaller than some species of protozoa (single-cell creatures); females are 40% larger.{{cite web |url=http://entnemdept.ifas.ufl.edu/walker/ufbir/chapters/chapter_38.shtml |title=University of Florida Book of Insect Records |publisher=Entnemdept.ifas.ufl.edu |date=1998-04-17 |access-date=2013-10-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005013854/http://entnemdept.ifas.ufl.edu/walker/ufbir/chapters/chapter_38.shtml |archive-date=2013-10-05 }} Megaphragma caribea from Guadeloupe, measuring {{cvt|170|μm|mm}} long, is another contender for smallest known insect in the world.
• Beetles of the tribe Nanosellini are all less than {{cvt|1|mm}} long; the smallest confirmed specimen is of Scydosella musawasensis at {{cvt|325|μm|mm}} 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.{{cite journal

| doi = 10.3897/zookeys.526.6531

| author = Polilov, A.A.

| year = 2015

| title = How small is the smallest? New record and remeasuring of Scydosella musawasensis Hall, 1999 (Coleoptera, Ptiliidae), the smallest known free-living insect.

| journal = ZooKeys

| issue = 526

| pages = 61–64

| pmid=26487824

| pmc=4607844

| doi-access = free

| bibcode = 2015ZooK..526...61P

}}

File:Grand Cayman pygmy blue (Brephidium exilis thompsoni) 2.JPG (Brephidium exilis thompsoni)]]

• The western pygmy blue (Brephidium exilis) is one of the smallest butterflies in the world, with a wingspan of about {{cvt|1|cm|abbr=on}}.{{Cite web |url=https://animals.mom.me/western-pygmy-blue-butterfly-6104.html |title = Facts on the Western Pygmy Blue Butterfly}}

The smallest sea cucumber, and also the smallest echinoderm, is Psammothuria ganapati, a synaptid that lives between sand grains on the coast of India. Its maximum length is {{cvt|4|mm}}.{{cite journal

| last = Rao | first = G. Chandrasekhara

| year = 1968

| title = On Psammothuria ganapatii n. gen. n. sp., an interstitial holothurian from the beach sands of waltair coast and its autecology

| journal = Proceedings of the Indian Academy of Sciences, Section B

| volume = 67 | issue = 5 | pages = 201–206

| doi = 10.1007/BF03053902

| s2cid = 135202924

|url=https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF03053902 | url-access = subscription

}}

{{Cite book

| last = Gilpin

| first = Daniel

| year = 2006

| title = Starfish, urchins, and other echinoderms

| publisher = David West Children's Books

| place = London

| isbn = 0-7565-1611-0

| page = [https://archive.org/details/starfishurchinso0000gilp/page/41 41]

|url=https://archive.org/details/starfishurchinso0000gilp/page/41

}}

The smallest sea urchin, Echinocyamus scaber, has a test {{cvt|6|mm}} across.

Patiriella parvivipara is the smallest starfish, at {{cvt|5|mm}} across.

{{main|List of smallest fish}}

File:Paedocypris progenetica 001.jpg, the smallest known fish]]

• One of the smallest vertebrates and the smallest fish based on the minimum size at maturity is Paedocypris progenetica from Indonesia, with mature females measuring as little as {{convert|7.9|mm|abbr=on}} in standard length.{{FishBase| genus = Paedocypris | species = progenetica | month = September| year = 2017}} This fish, a member of the carp family, has a translucent body and a head unprotected by a skeleton.
• One of the smallest fish based on the minimum size at maturity is Schindleria brevipinguis from Australia, their females reach {{convert|7|mm|in|abbr=on}} and males {{convert|6.5|mm|in|abbr=on}}.{{Cite web|title=Fishes|url=https://australian.museum/learn/animals/fishes/|access-date=February 14, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221003182122/https://australian.museum/learn/animals/fishes/|archive-date=October 3, 2022|date=June 2020|website=The Australian Museum}} Males of S. brevipinguis have an average standard length of {{convert|7.7|mm|abbr=on}}; a gravid female was {{convert|8.4|mm|abbr=on}}.{{FishBase|genus=Schindleria|species=brevipinguis|year=2017|month=September}} 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 {{convert|6.2|-|7.3|mm|in|abbr=on}} at maturity, and thus claimed to be a smaller species. However, these survive only by sexual parasitism and the female individuals reach the significantly larger size of {{convert|50.5|mm|in|abbr=on}}.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/4645708.stm| work=BBC News | title=Scientists find 'smallest fish' | date=2006-01-25 | access-date=2010-05-23}}{{cite web|url=http://www.amonline.net.au/fishes/faq/smallest.htm |title=What is the smallest species of fish? |publisher=Amonline.net.au |date=2013-09-27 |access-date=2013-10-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220152323/http://amonline.net.au/fishes/faq/smallest.htm |archive-date=February 20, 2009}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/4666736.stm | work=BBC News | title=Smallest fish compete for honours | date=2006-01-31 | access-date=2010-05-23}}{{cite web|url=http://www.livescience.com/animalworld/041027_Smallest_Fish.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080706153957/http://www.livescience.com/animalworld/041027_Smallest_Fish.html|title=Bragging Rights: The Smallest Fish Ever | LiveScience|website=Live Science |archive-date=July 6, 2008}}

File:Brachycephalus dacnis (ZUEC-AMP 25275; on fingertip).png specimen of Brachycephalus dacnis specimen on a human fingertip]]

File:SmallestFrogComparison.png

The smallest vertebrate (and smallest amphibian) known is Brachycephalus pulex, a Brazilian flea toad, with a minimum adult snout–vent length of {{convert|6.45|mm|in}}.{{Cite journal |last1=Bolaños |first1=Wendy H. |last2=Dias |first2=Iuri Ribeiro |last3=Solé |first3=Mirco |date=2024-02-07 |title=Zooming in on amphibians: Which is the smallest vertebrate in the world? |url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/zsc.12654 |journal=Zoologica Scripta |volume=53 |language=en |issue=4 |pages=414–418 |doi=10.1111/zsc.12654 |s2cid=267599475 |issn=0300-3256 |eissn=1463-6409}} Brachycephalus dacnis is similarly tiny, with a minimum adult length of {{convert|6.95|mm|in}}.{{Cite journal |last1=Toledo |first1=Luís Felipe |last2=Botelho |first2=Lucas Machado |last3=Carrasco-Medina |first3=Andres Santiago |last4=Gray |first4=Jaimi A. |last5=Ernetti |first5=Julia R. |last6=Gama |first6=Joana Moura |last7=Lyra |first7=Mariana Lucio |last8=Blackburn |first8=David C. |last9=Nunes |first9=Ivan |last10=Muscat |first10=Edelcio |date=2024-10-25 |title=Among the world's smallest vertebrates: a new miniaturized flea-toad (Brachycephalidae) from the Atlantic rainforest |journal=PeerJ |language=en |volume=12 |pages=e18265 |doi=10.7717/peerj.18265 |doi-access=free |pmid=39469590 |issn=2167-8359|pmc=11514764 }} Other very small frogs include:

• Paedophryne amauensis from Papua New Guinea, ranging in length from {{convert|7.0|-|8.0|mm|in|abbr=on}}, and {{convert|7.7|mm|in|abbr=on}} on average.{{cite news|title=World's tiniest frogs found in Papua New Guinea |url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/breaking-news/worlds-tiniest-frogs-found-in-papua-new-guinea/story-fn3dxity-1226242332383 |newspaper=The Australian |date=12 January 2012 |access-date=11 January 2012}}{{cite journal |last1=Rittmeyer |first1=Eric N. |last2=Allison |first2=Allen |last3=Gründler |first3=Michael C. |last4=Thompson |first4=Derrick K. |last5=Austin |first5=Christopher C. |year=2012 |title=Ecological guild evolution and the discovery of the world's smallest vertebrate |journal=PLOS ONE |volume=7 |issue=1 |pages= e29797|doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0029797 |pmid=22253785 |pmc=3256195|bibcode=2012PLoSO...729797R |doi-access=free}}
• Brachycephalus didactylus from Brazil (reported as {{cvt|9.6|–|9.8|mm}})
• several species of Eleutherodactylus such as E. iberia (around {{cvt|10|mm}}) and E. limbatus ({{cvt|8.5|–|12|mm}}) and Eleutherodactylus orientalis ({{cvt|12.5|mm}}) from Cuba,
• Gardiner's Frog Sechellophryne gardineri from the Seychelles (up to {{cvt|11|mm}}),
• several species of Stumpffia such as S. tridactyla ({{cvt|8.6|–|12|mm}}) and S. pygmaea (males {{cvt|10|–|12.5|mm}}; females: {{cvt|11|mm}}) and Wakea madinika (males: {{cvt|11|–|13|mm}}; females: {{cvt|15|–|16|mm}}) from Madagascar.

The two species Microhyla borneensis (males: {{cvt|10.6|–|13|mm}}; females: {{cvt|16|–|19|mm}}){{cite web|url=https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/08/100825094915.htm|title=Tiny, new, pea-sized frog is old world's smallest|website=ScienceDaily}}{{cite web|url=https://www.ecologyasia.com/verts/amphibians/bornean-chorus-frog.htm|title=Bornean Chorus Frog - Microhyla borneensis (Microhyla nepenthicola)|website=ecologyasia.com}} and Arthroleptella rugosa (males: {{cvt|11.9|–|14.1|mm}}; females: {{cvt|15.5|mm}}) 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.

The average snout-to-vent length (SVL) of several specimens of the salamander Thorius arboreus was {{convert|17|mm|in|abbr=on}}.{{cite journal | last1=Rittmeyer | first1=Eric N. | last2=Allison | first2=Allen | last3=Gründler | first3=Michael C. | last4=Thompson | first4=Derrick K. | last5=Austin | first5=Christopher C. | title=Ecological Guild Evolution and the Discovery of the World's Smallest Vertebrate | journal=PLOS ONE | publisher=Public Library of Science (PLoS) | volume=7 | issue=1 | date=2012-01-11 | issn=1932-6203 | doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0029797 | doi-access=free | page=e29797| pmid=22253785 | pmc=3256195 | bibcode=2012PLoSO...729797R }}

File:Juvenile Brookesia micra on finger tip.png, a species of chameleon, on a finger tip]]

• The miniature chameleon Brookesia nana, with a snout-vent length of {{cvt|13.5|mm}}, may represent the smallest known lizard and smallest reptile.{{Cite journal|last1=Glaw|first1=Frank|last2=Köhler|first2=Jörn|last3=Hawlitschek|first3=Oliver|last4=Ratsoavina|first4=Fanomezana M.|last5=Rakotoarison|first5=Andolalao|last6=Scherz|first6=Mark D.|last7=Vences|first7=Miguel|date=2021-01-28|title=Extreme miniaturization of a new amniote vertebrate and insights into the evolution of genital size in chameleons|journal=Scientific Reports|language=en|volume=11|issue=1|pages=2522|doi=10.1038/s41598-020-80955-1|pmid=33510189|pmc=7844282|issn=2045-2322}}{{Cite web|title=World's Smallest Chameleon Discovered And It's 'Surprisingly' Well-Endowed|url=https://www.iflscience.com/plants-and-animals/worlds-smallest-chameleon-discovered-and-its-surprisingly-wellendowed/|access-date=2021-01-28|website=IFLScience|date=28 January 2021 |language=en}}
• The dwarf gecko (Sphaerodactylus ariasae) is also one of the smallest known reptile species, with a snout-vent length of {{convert|16|mm|in}}.Pennsylvania State University (2001). [http://science.psu.edu/news-and-events/2001-news/Hedges11-2001.htm World's Smallest Lizard Discovered in the Caribbean]. Retrieved 26 January 2009. S. ariasae was first described in 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.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/1689313.stm | work=BBC News | title=Tiny gecko is 'world's smallest' | date=2001-12-03 | access-date=2010-05-23}}{{cite web |url=http://forests.org/archive/samerica/wosmliza.htm |title=12/03/01 -- World's Smallest Reptile Discovered in Caribbean |access-date=2011-12-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021104122941/http://forests.org/archive/samerica/wosmliza.htm |archive-date=2002-11-04 }} A few Brookesia chameleons from Madagascar are equally small, with a reported snout-vent length of {{cvt|15|–|18|mm}} for male dwarf chameleons (B. minima), {{cvt|14|–|19|mm}} for male Mount d'Ambre leaf chameleons (B. tuberculata)Glaw, F., & Vences, M. (2007). A Field Guide to the Amphibians and Reptiles of Madagascar, 3d edition. Frosch Verlag. {{ISBN|978-3-929449-03-7}} and {{cvt|15|–|16|mm}} for male B. micra,{{Cite journal| last1 = Glaw | first1 = F. | last2 = Köhler | first2 = J. R. | last3 = Townsend | first3 = T. M. | last4 = Vences | first4 = M. | editor1-last = Salamin | editor1-first = Nicolas | title = Rivaling the World's Smallest Reptiles: Discovery of Miniaturized and Microendemic New Species of Leaf Chameleons (Brookesia) from Northern Madagascar | doi = 10.1371/journal.pone.0031314 | journal = PLOS ONE | volume = 7 | issue = 2 | pages = e31314 | year = 2012 | pmid = 22348069| pmc =3279364 | bibcode = 2012PLoSO...731314G | doi-access = free}} though females are larger.

File:Leptotyphlops carlae.jpg]]

• One of the smallest known snakes is the recently discovered Barbados threadsnake (Leptotyphlops carlae). Adults average about {{convert|10|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} long, which is only about twice as long as the hatchlings. The Common blind snake (Indotyphlops braminus) measures {{convert|5.1–10.2|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} long, occasionally up to {{convert|15|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} long.{{cite web|url=https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/herpetology/fl-snakes/list/indotyphlops-braminus/|title=Indotyphlops braminus :: Florida Museum of Natural History|website=floridamuseum.ufl.edu|date=17 August 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://www.reptilesmagazine.com/Blind-Snakes/|title=Blind Snakes|website=reptilesmagazine.com|date=December 2011}}

The smallest turtle is the speckled padloper tortoise (Homopus signatus) from South Africa. The males measure {{convert|6|-|8|cm|in|abbr=on}}, while females measure up to almost {{convert|10|cm|in|abbr=on}}.Branch, B. (1998). Field Guide to Snakes and other Reptiles of Southern Africa. 3d edition. Struik Publishers. {{ISBN|1-86872-040-3}}

• The smallest extant crocodilian is the Cuvier's dwarf caiman (Paleosuchus palpebrosus) from northern and central South America. It reaches up to {{convert|1.6|m|ft|abbr=on}} in length.{{cite web|url=http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/cnhc/csp_ppal.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071013044335/http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/cnhc/csp_ppal.htm|archive-date=13 October 2007|title=Paleosuchus palpebrosus (Cuvier, 1807)}}
• Some extinct crocodylomorphs were even smaller.{{cite journal|vauthors=Godoy PL, Benson RB, Bronzati M, Butler RJ |date=2019 |title=The multi-peak adaptive landscape of crocodylomorph body size evolution|journal=BMC Evolutionary Biology|volume=19|issue=167|page=167 |doi=10.1186/s12862-019-1466-4 |pmid=31390981 |pmc=6686447 |doi-access=free|bibcode=2019BMCEE..19..167G }} Fully grown Bernissartia from the Early Cretaceous reached a bit more than {{cvt|60|cm}} in length.{{cite journal|vauthors=Martin JE, Smith T, Salaviale C, Adrien J, Delfino M |title=Virtual reconstruction of the skull of Bernissartia fagesii and current understanding of the neosuchian-eusuchian transition|journal= Journal of Systematic Palaeontology|date=2020|volume=18|issue=13|pages=1079–1101 |issn=1477-2019|doi=10.1080/14772019.2020.1731722|bibcode=2020JSPal..18.1079M |s2cid=216464226 |url=https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-02513657/file/MartinetalBernissartia.pdf }}
• The Early Cretaceous terrestrial notosuchian Malawisuchus was no more than {{cvt|60|cm}} long.{{cite journal |doi=10.1080/02724634.1997.10010975 |last=Gomani |first=Elizabeth M. |year=1997 |title=A crocodyliform from the Early Cretaceous Dinosaur Beds, northern Malawi |journal=Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology |volume=17 |issue=2 |pages=280–294|bibcode=1997JVPal..17..280G }} Other small notosuchians include Anatosuchus at {{cvt|70|cm}}{{cite journal|vauthors=Sereno PC, Sidor CA, Larsson HC, Gado B |date=June 2003|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/232680824|title=A new notosuchian from the Early Cretaceous of Niger|journal=Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology|volume=23 |issue=2 |pages=477–482 |doi=10.1671/0272-4634(2003)023[0477:ANNFTE]2.0.CO;2 |s2cid=86329307 |via=ResearchGate}} and herbivorous Simosuchus at {{cvt|75|cm}}.{{cite book

| isbn = 9781118407554

| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=A7YTBAAAQBAJ&dq=Simosuchus+length&pg=PA249

| title = Vertebrate Palaeontology

| publisher = John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

| date = 2015

| access-date = 25 September 2022

| pages = 249

| author = Michael J. Benton

}}

{{further|Pterosaur size}}

Nemicolopterus was the smallest pterosaur, it reached about {{cvt|25|cm}} in wingspan.{{cite journal |last1= Wang |first1= X. |last2= Kellner |first2= A.W.A. |last3= Zhou |first3= Z. |last4= Campos |first4= D.A. |year= 2008 |title= Discovery of a rare arboreal forest-dwelling flying reptile (Pterosauria, Pterodactyloidea) from China |journal= Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences |volume= 105|issue= 6 |pages= 1983–1987 |doi= 10.1073/pnas.0707728105 |pmid=18268340 |pmc=2538868|bibcode= 2008PNAS..105.1983W|doi-access= free }}

{{further|Dinosaur size}}

Sizes of non-avian dinosaurs are commonly labelled with a level of uncertainty, as the available material often (or even usually) is incomplete. The smallest known extinct non-avian 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 {{convert|34|cm|in|abbr=on}} long, and the weight has been estimated at up to {{convert|110|g|oz|abbr=on}}.Xu, X., Zhao, Q., Norell, M., Sullivan, C., Hone, D., Erickson, G., Wang, X., Han, F. and Guo, Y. (2009). "A new feathered maniraptoran dinosaur fossil that fills a morphological gap in avian origin." Chinese Science Bulletin, 6 pages, accepted November 15, 2008. Parvicursor was initially seen as one of the smallest non-avian dinosaurs known from an adult specimen, at {{cvt|39|cm|in}} in length, and {{cvt|162|g}} in weight.[http://www.technosaurs.ca/tag/default.aspx?id=114 Which was the smallest dinosaur?] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706204350/http://www.technosaurs.ca/tag/default.aspx?id=114 |date=2011-07-06 }} Royal Tyrrell Museum. Last accessed 2008-05-23. However, in 2022 its holotype was concluded to represent a juvenile individual.{{cite journal| vauthors = Averianov AO, Lopatin AV |title=A re-appraisal of Parvicursor remotus from the Late Cretaceous of Mongolia: implications for the phylogeny and taxonomy of alvarezsaurid theropod dinosaurs |journal=Journal of Systematic Palaeontology |year=2022 |volume=19 |issue=16 |pages=1097–1128 |doi=10.1080/14772019.2021.2013965 |s2cid=247222017 }} Epidexipteryx reached {{cvt|25|-|30|cm}} in length and {{cvt|164|-|220|g}} in weight.{{cite journal | last1 = Zhang | first1 = F. | last2 = Zhou | first2 = Z. | last3 = Xu | first3 = X. | last4 = Wang | first4 = X. | last5 = Sullivan | first5 = C. | year = 2008 | title = "A bizarre Jurassic maniraptoran from China with elongate ribbon-like feathers", Supplementary Information | journal = Nature | volume = 455| issue = 7216 | pages = 1105–8| doi = 10.1038/nature07447 | pmid = 18948955 | bibcode = 2008Natur.455.1105Z | s2cid = 4362560 }}{{Cite book|last=Paul|first=Gregory S.|title=The Princeton Field Guide to Dinosaurs|year=2016|publisher=Princeton University Press|isbn=978-1-78684-190-2|oclc=985402380|pages=139}}

File:Mellisuga helenae Size Comparison.svg

• With a mass of approximately {{convert|1.95|g|oz}} and a length of {{convert|5.5|cm|in|abbr=off}}, the bee hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae) is the smallest known dinosaur as well as the smallest bird species, and the smallest warm-blooded vertebrate. 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".{{cite web|url=http://www.mschloe.com/hummer/carib.htm|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130703194008/http://www.mschloe.com/hummer/carib.htm|title=Hummingbirds of the Caribbean|archive-date=July 3, 2013|website=mschloe.com|url-status=usurped}} The bee hummingbird eats half its total body mass and drinks eight times its total body mass each day. Its nest is {{cvt|3|cm}} across.
• The smallest waterfowl is pygmy goose (Nettapus). African species reaches the average weight of about {{convert|285|g}} for males and {{convert|260|g}} for females and length of single wing between {{convert|142| mm}} and {{convert|165|mm}}.{{cite book | title=Ducks, Geese and Swans: Species accounts (Cairina to Mergus) [Volume 2 of Ducks, Geese and Swans: Species accounts]|first1=Janet|last1=Kear|publisher= Oxford University Press |location=Oxford |year=2005 |page=908 |isbn=9780198610090|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=D2K-9k-_EFcC&q=Nettapus}} The second smallest waterfowl is the extinct Mioquerquedula from the Miocene.{{Cite web |url= https://www.researchgate.net/publication/250002885 |title= Dabbling Ducks (Aves: Anatidae) from the Middle Miocene of Mongolia |date= October 2018 |website= ResearchGate}}
• The smallest penguin species is the little blue penguin (Eudyptula minor), which stands around {{convert|30|-|33|cm|in|abbr=on}} tall and weighs {{convert|1.2|-|1.3|kg|lb|abbr=on}}.{{cite web|url=http://mesh.biology.washington.edu/penguinProject/Little|title=Little Penguin – Penguin Project|last=Grabski|first=Valerie|year=2009|publisher=Penguin Sentinels/University of Washington|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111216162812/http://mesh.biology.washington.edu/penguinProject/Little|archive-date=16 December 2011|access-date=24 September 2022}}
• The smallest bird of prey is the Black-thighed falconet (Microhierax fringillarius), with a wingspan of {{convert |27|-|32|cm|in}}, roughly the size of a sparrow.Raptors of the World by Ferguson-Lees, Christie, Franklin, Mead & Burton. Houghton Mifflin (2001)828-829, {{ISBN|0-618-12762-3}}

The smallest Mesozoic mammaliaform was Hadrocodium with a skull of {{cvt|1.5|cm}} in length and a body mass of {{cvt|2|g}}.{{cite book

| isbn = 9780198507611

| url = https://books.google.com/books?id=GswTDAAAQBAJ&dq=Gobiconodon+kg&pg=PA183

| title = The Origin and Evolution of Mammals

| publisher = Oxford University Press, USA

| date = 2005

| access-date = 22 September 2022

| page = 183

| author = T. S. Kemp

}}

File:Long-tailed planigale.jpg]]

The smallest marsupial is the long-tailed planigale from Australia. It has a body length of {{convert|110-130|mm|in}} (including tail) and weighs {{convert|4.3|g|oz}} on average. The Pilbara ningaui is considered to be of similar size and weight.

File:Suncus etruscus.jpg]]

The Etruscan shrew (Suncus etruscus), is the smallest mammal by mass, weighing about {{convert|1.8|g|oz|abbr=on}} on average.{{cite journal|last1=Jürgens |first1=Klaus D. |date=August 2002 |title=Etruscan shrew muscle: the consequences of being small |url=https://jeb.biologists.org/content/205/15/2161 |journal=Journal of Experimental Biology |volume=205 |issue=15 |pages=2161–2166 |doi=10.1242/jeb.205.15.2161 |pmid=12110649 |bibcode=2002JExpB.205.2161J |access-date=April 27, 2020}} The smallest mammal that ever lived, the shrew-like Batodonoides vanhouteni, weighed {{convert|1.3|g|oz}}.{{cite journal |last1=Bloch |first1=Jonathan I. |last2=Rose |first2=Kenneth D. |last3=Gingerich |first3=Philip D. |year=1998 |title=New Species of Batodonoides (Lipotyphla, Geolabididae) from the Early Eocene of Wyoming: Smallest Known Mammal? |journal=Journal of Mammalogy |volume=79 |issue=3 |pages=804–827 |jstor=1383090 |doi=10.2307/1383090 |doi-access = free}}

The Kitti's hog-nosed bat (Craseonycteris thonglongyai), also known as the bumblebee bat, from Thailand and Myanmar{{Cite iucn | author = Bates, P. | author2 = Bumrungsri, S. | author3 = Francis, C. | name-list-style = amp | title = Craseonycteris thonglongyai | volume = 2008 | page = e.T5481A11205556 |year = 2008 | doi = 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2008.RLTS.T5481A11205556.en }} Listed as Vulnerable is the smallest mammal, at {{convert|29|-|33|mm|in}} in length and {{convert|2|g|oz}} in weight.Donati, Annabelle, and Pamela Johnson. "Which mammal is the smallest?." I wonder which snake is the longest: and other neat facts about animal records. Racine, Wis.: Western Pub. Co., 1993. 8. Print.{{Cite web | url = http://www.edgeofexistence.org/mammals/species_info.php?id=49 | title = Bumblebee bat (Craseonycteris thonglongyai) | work = EDGE Species | access-date = 2008-04-10 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100921174949/http://www.edgeofexistence.org/mammals/species_info.php?id=49 | archive-date = 21 September 2010}}

The smallest member of the order Carnivora is the least weasel (Mustela nivalis), with an average body length of {{convert|114|–|260|mm|in|abbr=on}}. It weighs between {{cvt|29.5|–|250|g}} with females being lighter.{{Harvnb|Heptner|Sludskii|2002|p=991}}

The smallest known member of the rodent order is the Baluchistan pygmy jerboa, with an average body length of {{convert|3.8|cm|in|abbr=on}}.{{cite web|url=http://www.thetoptenz.net/smallest-animals/|title=World's Smallest Animals |publisher=Thetoptenz.net |date=2013-09-29 |access-date=2013-10-03}}

The smallest member of the primate order is Madame Berthe's mouse lemur (Microcebus berthae), found in Madagascar,[http://www.primates.co.uk/lemurs/pygmy-mouselemur.html (Retrieved on March 17, 2010).] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090716201423/http://www.primates.co.uk/lemurs/pygmy-mouselemur.html |date=July 16, 2009 }} with an average body length of {{convert|9.2|cm|in|abbr=on}}.

The smallest cetacean, which is also (as of 2006) the most endangered, is the vaquita, a species of porpoise. Male vaquitas grow to an average of around {{convert|135|cm|in|abbr=on}}; the females are slightly longer, averaging about {{convert|141|cm|in|abbr=on}} in length.{{Harvnb|Brownell|Findley|Vidal|Robles|1987|pp=23–24}}

Zamia pygmaea is a cycad found in Cuba, and the smallest known gymnosperm.{{cite book |last1=Bhatnagar |first1=S. P. |last2=Moitra |first2=Alok |title=Gymnosperms |date=1996 |publisher=New Age International |isbn=978-81-224-0792-1 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4dvyNckni8wC |access-date=16 April 2022 |language=en}} It grows to a height of {{cvt|25|cm|0}}.{{Cite book|author1=P.S.Dhami|title=A textbook of Biology|author2=G.Chopra|author3=H.N.Srivastava|publisher=Pradeep Publication|year=2015|location=Jalandhar, Punjab}}

File:WolffiaArrhiza2.jpg on human fingers. Every speck of less than {{cvt|1|mm}} length is an individual plant.]]

Duckweeds of the genus Wolffia are the smallest angiosperms.{{cite web|url=https://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/smallestflower.html |title=What is the smallest flower in the world? |publisher=Loc.gov |access-date=2013-10-03}} Fully grown, they measure {{cvt|300|by|600|μm|mm}} and reach a mass of just 150 μg.

The smallest known dicotyledon plant is the Himalayan dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium minutissimum). Shoots grow up to {{cvt|5|mm}} in height.{{cite journal |last1=Datta |first1=R. M. |title=Occurrence of a Hermaphrodite Flower in Arceuthobium minutissimum Hook. f., the Smallest Known Dicotyledonous Plant |journal=Nature |date=February 1951 |volume=167 |issue=4240 |pages=203–204 |doi=10.1038/167203a0 |pmid=14806428 |bibcode=1951Natur.167..203D |s2cid=4181798 |url=https://www.nature.com/articles/167203a0 |access-date=16 April 2022 |language=en |issn=1476-4687}}

Nanobes are thought by some scientists to be the smallest known organisms,{{Cite journal | last = Nanjundiah | first = V. | year = 2000 | title = The smallest form of life yet? | journal = Journal of Biosciences | volume = 25 | issue = 1 | pages = 9–10 |url=http://eprints.iisc.ernet.in/archive/00001799/01/25smallest25(1)-9to10mar2000.pdf | doi = 10.1007/BF02985175 | pmid = 10824192 | s2cid = 29030837 }}

about one tenth the size of the smallest known 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, but it is unclear what they are, and if they are alive.{{cite journal |author1=Uwins, Philippa J.R. |display-authors=etal |year=1998 |title=Novel nano-organisms from Australian sandstones |journal=American Mineralogist | volume=83 |issue=11–12 |pages=1541–1550, Part 2 |doi=10.2138/am-1998-11-1242

|bibcode=1998AmMin..83.1541U |url=http://www.microscopy-uk.org.uk/nanobes/nanobes.pdf }}

• Largest organisms
• Largest prehistoric organisms

{{reflist|group=note}}

{{Reflist|colwidth=30em}}

• {{Cite book|last1=Heptner|first1=V. G.|last2=Sludskii|first2=A. A.|url=https://archive.org/details/mammalsofsov212001gept|title=Mammals of the Soviet Union. Vol. II, part 1b, Carnivores (Mustelidae and Procyonidae)|publisher=Washington, D.C. : Smithsonian Institution Libraries and National Science Foundation|year=2002|isbn=90-04-08876-8}}
• {{Cite journal |last1=Brownell |first1=Robert L. |last2=Findley |first2=Lloyd T. |last3=Vidal |first3=Omar |last4=Robles |first4=Alejandro |last5=Manzanilla |first5= N. Silvia |year=1987 |title=External Morphology and Pigmentation of the Vaquita, Phocoena Sinus (cetacea: Mammalia) |journal=Marine Mammal Science |display-authors= 4 |volume=3 |issue=1 |pages=22–30 |doi=10.1111/j.1748-7692.1987.tb00149.x |bibcode=1987MMamS...3...22B |issn=1748-7692}}

• [http://entomology.ifas.ufl.edu/creatures/misc/beetles/featherwing_beetles.htm Featherwing beetles] on the UF / IFAS Featured Creatures Web site

{{Records}}

*

es:Tamaño de los seres vivos