Scientists have identified gigantic amoebas more than 6.6 miles beneath the depths of the Mariana Trench.

The creatures, called xenophyophores, were discovered by scientists from the Scripps Institute of Oceanography at UC San Diego. Scripp scientists said that xenophyophores, which often grown more than four inches, are among the largest individual cells in existence.

According to Liza Levin, a deep-sea biologist and director of the Scripps Center for Marine Biodiversity and Conservation, the xynophyophores are "fascinating giants that are highly adapted to extreme conditions but at the same time they are fragile and poorly studied."

Recent studies indicate that xenophyophores can concentrate high levels of lead, uranium and mercury by trapping particles from the water. Thus, they are highly resistant to large doses of heavy metals.

"The identification of these gigantic cells in one of the deepest marine environments on the planet opens up a whole new habitat for further study of biodiversity ... and extreme environment adaptation," Levin said.

These creatures are well suited to a life of darkness, low temperature and high pressure in the deep sea, studies revealed.

For this study, Levin worked with Eric Berkenpas and Graham Wilhelm -- Remote Imaging engineers from the National Geographic Society -- to build and launch "dropcams," a special equipment used to reach the bottom of the ocean.