Phylogeny based on small subunit (SSU) ribosomal DNA places Ellobiopsis in the Alveolata.
Once in contact with a host, the cell body of the organism grows and takes on an oval shape.
[5] The parasitic life cycle of Ellobiopsis chattoni begins with a spore that lands on the surface of a host appendage.
[2][5] As the cell grows the root is used for absorption, causing damaging to the local host tissue.
[2] Once established at a specific size, approximately 400 μm,[5] the cell body begins to partition itself in half.