Epidemiology and phylogeny of spike gene of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus from Yunnan, China

•Phylogenetic analysis of S gene of PEDV was performed using 9 new isolates from Yunnan, China, together with 225 S genes available in GenBank.•The 9 Yunnan isolates were clustered into classical G1b and pandemic G2a groups, indicating new variants in Yunnan.•The highly diverse and complex clustering might result from co-infections.•Identification of new types of PEDV strains would stimulate the development of effective vaccines in a more precise manner.