Eight strains of Gram-positive, catalase and oxidase positive cocci were isolated from the skin of llamas (Lama glama, L.) and characterized using a polyphasic approach. These strains were assigned to the genus Macrococcus on the basis of their phenotypic properties (resistance to bacitracin and sensitivity to furazolidone) and the DNA base content of the DNA (40 - 42 mol % G + C). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rDNA confirmed that the strains are members of the genus Macrococcus. They differed from all hitherto described macrococcal species in their production of phosphatase, reduction of nitrate (most strains), their inability to produce acid from glycerol and to grow in 7.5 % NaCl. Ribotyping (EcoRI), macrorestriction analysis (XbaI) and fatty acid methyl ester analysis divided all strains from llamas into three stable clusters. Moreover, ribotyping differentiated the strains analyzed not only from previously described macrococcal species but from oxidase positive staphylococci as well. DNA-DNA hybridization confirmed that the three clusters represent separate genomic groups (similarity values were lower than 54 %). All the results showed that the strains represent three new species for which the names Macrococcus hajekii sp. nov. (type strain CCM 4809T = LMG 21711T), Macrococcus brunensis sp. nov. (type strain CCM 4811T = LMG 21712T) and Macrococcus lamae sp. nov. (type strain CCM 4815T = LMG 21713T) are proposed.