Three isolates, typified by Pro94 Y29(T) (=JCM 13290(T) =CBS 9278(T) =DBVPG 7841(T)), that represent a novel species, Rhodotorula arctica sp. nov., were studied. R. arctica differed from its only close relative, Bensingtonia yamatoana, by requiring thiamine and by failing to assimilate maltose and quinate, but strain Pro94 Y29(T) could be most readily identified using the rDNA sequence of the LSU D1/D2 region, which differed from that of B. yamatoana CBS 7423(T) at four positions, and the ITS sequence, which differed at nine positions. One R. arctica isolate, Pro94 Y56 (=JCM 13292 =CBS 9280 =DBVPG Y7843), was unique in requiring either l-arginine or l-citrulline as a source of nitrogen.