A bifidobacterial isolate from human feces was found to have very low genetic relatedness to any previously described species of the genus. This strain, which also contained a unique type of peptidoglycan, L-lysine-L-alanine-L-serine (A3 alpha), is considered to represent a new species, which is designated Bifidobacterium gallicum. Its description is presented. The type strain is strain DSM 20093. gallicum. Its description is presented. The type strain is strain DSM 20093.