The type strains of the species Paenibacillus ginsengisoli (KCTC 13931(T)) and Paenibacillus anaericanus (DSM 15890(T)) were compared in order to clarify the taxonomic relationship of the two species. On the basis of 16S rRNA and rpoB gene sequence comparisons, the two strains shared 99.9 and 99.6 % similarity, respectively. The mean DNA-DNA relatedness value was 77 % and the genomic DNA G+C contents were 43.2 and 42.2 mol%, respectively. Phenotypic data, including fatty acid patterns and acid-production, enzyme-activity and substrate-utilization profiles, showed no pronounced differences between the type strains of the two species. These genotypic and phenotypic data suggest that the two taxa constitute a single species. According to Rules 38 and 42 of the Bacteriological Code, they should be united under the name Paenibacillus anaericanus, with the name Paenibacillus ginsengisoli as a later heterotypic synonym.