Ribosomal RNA
The "Ellobiopsis" [[type species]], "Ellobiopsis chattoni," was first described in 1910 by Caullery after being isolated from an infected [[copepod]] found in the [[Mediterranean Sea]]. "Ellobiopsis" was first classified as a [[dinoflagellate]], but observation of a [[spore]] forming [[organelle]] concluded that the "Ellobiopsis" was not a part of this group. [[Phylogenetic tree|Phylogeny]] based on small [[Ribosomal RNA|subunit (SSU) ribosomal DNA]] places "Ellobiopsis" in the [[Alveolate|Alveolata]]. In the family Ellobiopsidae, the most closely related genus is "Thalassomyces". Three [[species]] have been defined in this genus: "Ellobiopsis chattoni" Caullery (1910), "Ellobiopsis elongata" Steuer (1932) "and Ellobiopsis fagei" Hovasse (1951). These species are characterized by morphology of their reproductive structures and their ability to infect species specific hosts.