Heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria belonging to the genus Carnobacterium are currently divided into seven different species, C. piscicola. C. mobile, C. gallinarum. C. inhibens, C. divergens, C. funditum, and C. alterfunditum. 16S rDNA-targeted PCR assay Was carried Out for the identification of the genus Carnobacterium In addition. type strains of all Carnobacterium species were analyzed by 16S-23S rDNA intergenic spacer analysis in comparison with type strains of phylogenetically related lactic acid bacteria. These methods enabled the identification and the discrimination among Carnobacterium species and the other phylogenetically related lactic acid bacteria. Likewise, analogous results were obtained by restriction analysis of amplified 16S rDNA performed with HaeIII and HinII as restriction enzymes.