Name: Bifidobacterium Orla-Jensen 1924 (Approved Lists 1980)

Category: Genus

Proposed as: gen. nov.

Etymology: Bi.fi.do.bac.te’ri.um. L. masc. adj. bifidus, cleft, split, divided; N.L. neut. n. bacterium, a small rod; N.L. neut. n. Bifidobacterium, a cleft rodlet

Gender, pronunciation: neuter (stem: Bifidobacteri-), bi-fi-do-bak-TE-ri-um

Type species: Bifidobacterium bifidum (Tissier 1900) Orla-Jensen 1924 (Approved Lists 1980)

Conduct genome-based taxonomy of genus at TYGS

16S rRNA gene: Analyse FASTA

Effective publication: Orla-Jensen S. Classification des bactéries lactiques. Lait 1924; 4:468-474.

IJSEM list: Skerman VBD, McGowan V, Sneath PHA. Approved lists of bacterial names. Int J Syst Bacteriol 1980; 30:225-420.

Nomenclatural status: validly published under the ICNP

Taxonomic status: correct name

Risk group: 2

• Notes:
  • 🥇 Nomenclatural type of the family Bifidobacteriaceae Stackebrandt et al. 1997. Publication: Stackebrandt E, Rainey FA, Ward-Rainey NL. Proposal for a new hierarchic classification system, Actinobacteria classis nov. Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. 1997; 47:479-491. 🇩🇪
  • 🥇 Nomenclatural type of the order Bifidobacteriales Stackebrandt et al. 1997. Publication: Stackebrandt E, Rainey FA, Ward-Rainey NL. Proposal for a new hierarchic classification system, Actinobacteria classis nov. Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. 1997; 47:479-491. 🇩🇪
  • 🧕 Cavalier-Smith (2002) assigned this genus to the class Arthrobacteria Cavalier-Smith 2002. Publication: Cavalier-Smith T. The neomuran origin of archaebacteria, the negibacterial root of the universal tree and bacterial megaclassification. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2002; 52:7-76. 🇬🇧
  • 🧕 Prevot (1938) assigned this genus to the family Actinomycetaceae Buchanan 1918 (Approved Lists 1980). Publication: Prevot AR. Études de systématique bactérienne. Annales de l'Institut Pasteur (Paris) 1938; 60:285-230.
  • 🧕 Prevot (1940) assigned this genus to the family Actinomycetaceae Buchanan 1918 (Approved Lists 1980). Publication: Prévot AR. Manuel de Classification et de Détermination des Bactéries Anaérobies, 1st ed. Masson, Paris, 1940.
  • 🧕 Stackebrandt et al. (1997) assigned this genus to the order Bifidobacteriales Stackebrandt et al. 1997. Publication: Stackebrandt E, Rainey FA, Ward-Rainey NL. Proposal for a new hierarchic classification system, Actinobacteria classis nov. Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. 1997; 47:479-491. 🇩🇪
  • 🚋 The type species of this genus has alternatively been placed in the genus Bacillus Cohn 1872 (Approved Lists 1980). Publication: Tissier H. Recherches sur la flore intestinale normale et pathologique du nourrisson. Georges Carré et C Naud, Paris, 1900.
  • 🚋 The type species of this genus has alternatively been placed in the genus "Bacterium" Ehrenberg 1831. Publication: Orla-Jensen S. The lactic acid bacteria. Høst, Copenhagen, 1919.
  • 🙄 This taxon name is occasionally misprinted (or affected by an OCR error) in some sources as: "Bcfidohacterium"; "Bididobacterium"; "Bidifobacterium"; "Bidobacterium"; "Bifdibacterium"; "Bifdobacterium"; "Bifdobacterum"; "Bifdobucterium"; "Bifibacterium"; "Bifibobacterium"; "Bificobacteria"; "Bifidebacterium"; "Bifidebecterium"; "Bifidibacwrium"; "Bifidlbacterium"; "Bifidobacetrium"; "Bifidobacferium"; "Bifidobacrerium"; "Bifidobactcrium"; "Bifidobacteium"; "Bifidobacter"; "Bifidobacterilrm"; "Bifidobacteriunz"; "Bifidobacterum"; "Bifidobacterzum"; "Bifidobactetium"; "Bifidobactetrium"; "Bifidobactrium"; "Bifidobactrrium"; "Bifidobacwrium"; "Bifidobaderium"; "Bifidobaderlum"; "Bifidobaterium"; "Bifidobecterium"; "Bifidoboclerium"; "Bifidobuclerium"; "Bifidobuctrrium"; "Bifidodobacterium"; "Bifidohacterium"; "Bifidohoctcrium"; "Bifidolmcterium"; "Bifidzbactcrium"; "Bififobacterium"; "Bifiobacterium"; "Bifldibacterium"; "Bifldobacterium"; "Bifodobacterium"; "Bifrdobacterium"; "Biiidobacterium"; "Bijdobacterium"; "Bijidibacterium"; "Bijidobacrerium"; "Bijidobacterium"; "Bilidibacterium"; "Bilidobacterium"; "Biphidobacterium"; "Biphidobacterum"; "Biridobacterium"; "Bitidobacterium"; "Bjfirlohacterium"; "Blfidibacterium"; "Bvidobacterium"; "Bzfidobacterium"; "Bzfzdobacterzum"; "Hifidobacterium"; "Iiifidobacterium"; "Ilifidobacterum"; "Rifidolmcterium". — 🤨 This taxon name is occasionally used in plural form as: "Bifidobacteria"; "Bifidobacteriae".
  • 🖹 Minimal standards for the description of new taxa in this group were published in 2014. Publication: Mattarelli P, Holzapfel W, Franz CMAP, Endo A, Felis GE, Hammes W, Pot B, Dicks L, Dellaglio F. Recommended minimal standards for description of new taxa of the genera Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and related genera. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2014; 64:1434-1451. 🇮🇹
  • 🧔 This taxon was discussed in a meeting of a Taxonomic Subcommittee of the ICSP. Publication: Mattarelli P, Felis GE, Holzapfel WH, Franz CMAP. International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes Subcommittee on the taxonomy of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and related organisms. Minutes of closed and open meetings, 3 September 2018, Berlin, Germany. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2019; 69:1521-1523. 🇮🇹
  • 🧔 This taxon was discussed in a meeting of a Taxonomic Subcommittee of the ICSP. Publication: Mattarelli P, Felis GE, Holzapfel WH, Franz CMAP. International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes, Subcommittee on the taxonomy of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and related organisms. Minutes of open and closed meetings, 19 July 2016, Dublin, Ireland. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2019; 69:2172-2173. 🇮🇹
  • 🧔 This taxon was discussed in a meeting of a Taxonomic Subcommittee of the ICSP. Publication: Klein G. International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes Subcommittee on the Taxonomy of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Related Organisms. Minutes of the meetings, 1 and 2 April 2005, Stuttgart-Hohenheim, Germany. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 2006; 56:2501-2503.
  • 🧔 This taxon was discussed in a meeting of a Taxonomic Subcommittee of the ICSP. Publication: Klein G. International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes Subcommittee on the Taxonomy of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and Related Organisms: Minutes of the meetings, 30 August and 1 September 2006, Bologna, Italy. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 2007; 57:1367-1369.
  • 🧔 This taxon was discussed in a meeting of a Taxonomic Subcommittee of the ICSP. Publication: Klein G. International Committee on Systematic Bacteriology. Subcommittee on the taxonomy of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and related organisms. Minutes of the meetings, 22 and 23 September 1999, Veldhoven, The Netherlands. Int. J. Syst. Evol. Microbiol. 2001; 51:259-261.
  • 🧔 This taxon was discussed in a meeting of a Taxonomic Subcommittee of the ICSP. Publication: Mattarelli P, Felis GE, Pot B, Holzapfel WH, Franz CMAP. International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes Subcommittee on the taxonomy of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and related organisms Minutes of the closed meeting, 20 June 2019, Prague, Czech Republic. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2020; 70:2949-2951. 🇮🇹
  • 🧔 This taxon was discussed in a meeting of a Taxonomic Subcommittee of the ICSP. Publication: Bonaparte C, Klein G. International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes. Subcommittee on the taxonomy of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and related organisms. Minutes of the meetings, 31 August 2011, Egmond aan Zee, The Netherlands. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2012; 62:2546-2548.
  • 🧔 This taxon was discussed in a meeting of a Taxonomic Subcommittee of the ICSP. Publication: Kagermeier-Callaway AS. International Committee on Systematic Bacteriology Subcommittee on the taxonomy of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and related organisms. Minutes of the meetings, 4 and 6 July 1994, Prague, Czech Republic. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2000; 50:1391-1392.
  • 🧔 This taxon was discussed in a meeting of a Taxonomic Subcommittee of the ICSP. Publication: Mattarelli P, Felis GE, Pot B, Holzapfel WH, Franz CMAP. International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes Subcommittee on the Taxonomy of Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus and related organisms. Minutes of the closed meeting by videoconference, 3 September 2020. Int J Syst Evol Microbiol 2023; 73:5892. 🇮🇹
  • 💁 Taxonomists who have recently focused on this group are the corresponding authors of Modesto et al. (2025), Neuzil-Bunesova et al. (2021), Duranti et al. (2020), Modesto et al. (2025), Wang et al. (2024). Editors in search of reviewers are advised to consider additional criteria such as whether a taxon is covered by one of the ICSP subcommittees.
  • 🎰 The BRCs most frequently used for deposits in this group are: DSM: 101; LMG: 74; JCM: 73; CCUG: 66; CGMCC: 36; BCRC: 33; ATCC: 31; CCRC: 26; CIP: 19; HAMBI: 17.
  • 😷 The risk group for Canada has been imported on 2024-02-27. The full classification is: risk group = 2, note = "Animal classification RG: 1 - Security sensitive biological agent: No - Terrestrial animal pathogen under Canadian Food Inspection Agency authority: No - Containment level: Containment Level 2". — If in doubt, use the risk group given in the regulations for your country and, if these are not available, use the risk group given in the catalogue of the culture collection from which you have obtained or intend to obtain the strain.
  • 🧍 Pittman et al. (1991) suggested the abbreviation "BIBT" for this genus name but this does not appear to be of practical relevance any longer. Publication: Pittman KF, Walczak CA, Lock CM. Codes and abbreviations for approved of effectively published names of genera of bacteria published from January 1980 to December 1990. Int J Syst Bacteriol 1991; 41:571-579.

Subdivision:

Number of child taxa with a validly published and correct name: 109
Number of child taxa with a validly published name, including synonyms: 119
Total number of child taxa: 127

• Child taxa:

  • Name	Nomenclatural status	Taxonomic status
    Bifidobacterium actinocoloniiforme Killer et al. 2011	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium adolescentis Reuter 1963 (Approved Lists 1980)	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium aemilianum Alberoni et al. 2019	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium aerophilum Michelini et al. 2017	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium aesculapii Modesto et al. 2014	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium amazonense Lugli et al. 2021	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium angulatum Scardovi and Crociani 1974 (Approved Lists 1980)	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium animalis (Mitsuoka 1969) Scardovi and Trovatelli 1974 (Approved Lists 1980)	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium anseris Lugli et al. 2018	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium apicola Wang et al. 2024	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium apis Jiang et al. 2024	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium apousia Chen et al. 2022	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium apri Pechar et al. 2017	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium aquikefiri Laureys et al. 2016	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium aquikefiricola Breselge et al. 2024	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium asteroides Scardovi and Trovatelli 1969 (Approved Lists 1980)	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium avesanii Michelini et al. 2019	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium biavatii Endo et al. 2012	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium bifidum (Tissier 1900) Orla-Jensen 1924 (Approved Lists 1980)	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium bohemicum Killer et al. 2011	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium bombi Killer et al. 2009	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium boum Scardovi et al. 1979 (Approved Lists 1980)	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium breve Reuter 1963 (Approved Lists 1980)	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium callimiconis Duranti et al. 2019	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium callitrichidarum Modesto et al. 2018	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium callitrichos Endo et al. 2012	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium canis Neuzil-Bunesova et al. 2020	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium castoris Duranti et al. 2019	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium catenulatum Scardovi and Crociani 1974 (Approved Lists 1980)	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium catulorum Modesto et al. 2018	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium cebidarum Duranti et al. 2020	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium choerinum Scardovi et al. 1979 (Approved Lists 1980)	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium choladohabitans Chen et al. 2022	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium choloepi Modesto et al. 2020	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium colobi Lugli et al. 2021	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium commune Praet et al. 2015	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium coryneforme (ex Scardovi and Trovatelli 1969) Biavati et al. 1982	validly published under the ICNP	synonym
    Bifidobacterium criceti Lugli et al. 2018	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    "Bifidobacterium crudilactis" Delcenserie et al. 2007	not validly published	preferred name
    Bifidobacterium cuniculi Scardovi et al. 1979 (Approved Lists 1980)	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium denticolens Crociani et al. 1996	validly published under the ICNP	synonym
    Bifidobacterium dentium Scardovi and Crociani 1974 (Approved Lists 1980)	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium dolichotidis Duranti et al. 2019	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    "Bifidobacterium eriksonii" Cato et al. 1970	not validly published	preferred name
    Bifidobacterium erythrocebi Neuzil-Bunesova et al. 2021	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium eulemuris Michelini et al. 2016	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium faecale Choi et al. 2014	validly published under the ICNP	synonym
    Bifidobacterium favimelis Li et al. 2024	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium felsineum Modesto et al. 2020	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium fermentum Breselge et al. 2024	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium gallicum Lauer 1990	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium gallinarum Watabe et al. 1983	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium globosum (ex Scardovi et al. 1969) Biavati et al. 1982	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium goeldii Duranti et al. 2019	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium hapali Michelini et al. 2016	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium hominis Hitch et al. 2025	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium imperatoris Lugli et al. 2018	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium indicum Scardovi and Trovatelli 1969 (Approved Lists 1980)	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium infantis Reuter 1963 (Approved Lists 1980)	validly published under the ICNP	synonym
    Bifidobacterium inopinatum Crociani et al. 1996	validly published under the ICNP	synonym
    Bifidobacterium italicum Lugli et al. 2018	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium jacchi Modesto et al. 2019	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium kashiwanohense Morita et al. 2011	validly published under the ICNP	synonym
    Bifidobacterium kimbladii Modesto et al. 2025	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium lactis Meile et al. 1997	validly published under the ICNP	synonym
    Bifidobacterium lemurum Modesto et al. 2015	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium leontopitheci Duranti et al. 2020	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium longum Reuter 1963 (Approved Lists 1980)	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium magnum Scardovi and Zani 1974 (Approved Lists 1980)	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium margollesii Lugli et al. 2018	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium mellis Olofsson et al. 2023	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium merycicum Biavati and Mattarelli 1991	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium miconis Lugli et al. 2021	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium miconisargentati Lugli et al. 2021	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium minimum Biavati et al. 1982	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium mizhiense Li et al. 2022	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium mongoliense Watanabe et al. 2009	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium moraviense Neuzil-Bunesova et al. 2021	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium moukalabense Tsuchida et al. 2014	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium myosotis Michelini et al. 2016	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium oedipodis Neuzil-Bunesova et al. 2021	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium olomucense Neuzil-Bunesova et al. 2021	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium panos Neuzil-Bunesova et al. 2021	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium parmae Lugli et al. 2018	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium phasiani Lugli et al. 2022	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    "Bifidobacterium platyrrhinorum" Modesto et al. 2020	not validly published	synonym
    Bifidobacterium platyrrhinorum Modesto et al. 2025	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium pluvialisilvae Lugli et al. 2021	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium polysaccharolyticum Chen et al. 2022	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium pongonis Lugli et al. 2021	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium porcinum (Zhu et al. 2003) Nouioui et al. 2018	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium primatium Modesto et al. 2020	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum Scardovi et al. 1979 (Approved Lists 1980)	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium pseudolongum Mitsuoka 1969 (Approved Lists 1980)	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium psychraerophilum Simpson et al. 2004	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium pullorum Trovatelli et al. 1974 (Approved Lists 1980)	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium ramosum Michelini et al. 2017	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium reuteri Endo et al. 2012	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium rousetti Modesto et al. 2021	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    "Bifidobacterium ruminale" Scardovi et al. 1969	not validly published	preferred name
    Bifidobacterium ruminantium Biavati and Mattarelli 1991	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium saeculare Biavati et al. 1992	validly published under the ICNP	synonym
    Bifidobacterium saguini Endo et al. 2012	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium saguinibicoloris Lugli et al. 2021	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    "Bifidobacterium saimiriisciurei" Modesto et al. 2020	not validly published	synonym
    Bifidobacterium saimiriisciurei Modesto et al. 2025	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium samirii Duranti et al. 2019	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium santillanense Lugli et al. 2021	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium scaligerum Modesto et al. 2020	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium scardovii Hoyles et al. 2002	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium simiarum Modesto et al. 2020	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium simiiventris Lugli et al. 2021	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium stellenboschense Endo et al. 2012	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium stercoris Kim et al. 2010	validly published under the ICNP	synonym
    Bifidobacterium subtile Biavati et al. 1982	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium suis Matteuzzi et al. 1971 (Approved Lists 1980)	validly published under the ICNP	synonym
    Bifidobacterium thermacidophilum Dong et al. 2000	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium thermophilium Mitsuoka 1969 (Approved Lists 1980)	inaccurate spelling	misspelling
    Bifidobacterium thermophilum corrig. Mitsuoka 1969 (Approved Lists 1980)	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium tibiigranuli Eckel et al. 2020	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium tissieri corrig. Michelini et al. 2016	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium tissierii Michelini et al. 2016	inaccurate spelling	misspelling
    Bifidobacterium tsurumiense Okamoto et al. 2008	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    "Bifidobacterium urinalis" Hojo et al. 2007	not validly published	preferred name
    Bifidobacterium vansinderenii Duranti et al. 2017	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium vespertilionis Modesto et al. 2021	validly published under the ICNP	correct name
    Bifidobacterium xylocopae Alberoni et al. 2019	validly published under the ICNP	correct name

Parent taxon: Bifidobacteriaceae Stackebrandt et al. 1997

Assigned by: Stackebrandt E, Rainey FA, Ward-Rainey NL. Proposal for a new hierarchic classification system, Actinobacteria classis nov. Int. J. Syst. Bacteriol. 1997; 47:479-491. 🇩🇪

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Record number: 515236