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Bacillus megaterium


 Kingdom: Eubacteria
Scientific Name: Bacillus megaterium
Image Courtesy of: Pankratz, Stu
Image Width: 5 microns
Image Technology: TEM


This bacterium, like all species of Bacillus, forms spores, like the one shown here. These spores help the bacteria survive hostile conditions, such as heat and drying out. The genus Bacillus contains many related species of bacteria. Because of their spores, many species of Bacillus are found in the desert. This particular species is relatively big, as bacteria go, and hence the name "mega".