The cladistic analysis of ectatommine ants by Lattke (1994) is reanalyzed a
nd discussed. It is argued that Lattke's sample of taxa (in particular his
choice of outgroups) is problematic because of the acceptance of unreliable
previous analyses of ant subfamilial relationships. Additionally, Lattke's
proposed reclassification is inconsistent cladistically. A revised matrix
is pre seated with the addition of three outgroups and twelve characters (1
9 taxa and 41 characters in total). This matrix yields a single most parsim
onious cladogram (L=116; CI=46; RI=61) with Ponerinae paraphyletic with res
pect to the other poneroid exemplars included (Apomyrma Cerapachys and Chel
iomyrmex). This result illustrates the need for a full taxonomic revision o
f the poneroid group.