Three strains of a previously undescribed, Gram-positive, coryneform bacterium, which were isolated from cattle, were subjected to polyphasic taxonomic analysis. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that the unknown isolates were members of the genus Arthrobacter and were phylogenetically closely related to Arthrobacter luteolus. However, DNA-DNA hybridization indicated that the strains belonged to a new sub-lineage within the genus Arthrobacter. The unknown isolates can be distinguished from related species by biochemical tests. It is proposed that the Arthrobacter-like bacteria of veterinary origin should be classified in the genus Arthrobacter as Arthrobacter gandavensis sp. nov., with the type strain LMG 21285(T) (=DSM 15046(T)).