Name: Anonymous 2010-07-02 2:11
because it can measure 3.8 centimetres, as opposed to say, micrometres. In contrast, the blue whale can be called a decaobe, reaching 3.3 decametres.
http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2008/11/24/2427811.htm
http://www.microbeworld.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=158&Itemid=85
http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2008/11/24/2427811.htm
http://www.microbeworld.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=158&Itemid=85