The taxonomic position of the genus is still uncertain and it has not found a robust location in any subgroup.

K. ystava was first discovered in Tvärminne in the Gulf of Finland.

K. kaloista was discovered in Sombre Lake on Signy Island, near Antarctica.

A third species, K. parva was transferred from the genus Clautriavia by Smith and Scoble [4] The Kiitoksia species are single-celled organisms approximately 2-4 micrometres in size and round in shape.

The latter name is a reference to the Douglas Adams novel, So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish.