Abstract The results from published cladistic analyses of various oligochaete taxa suggest that the Haplotaxidase is a paraphyletic taxon once Metataxis is transfered to the Lumbricina and Tiguassu to the Tiguassidae. The Branchiobdellida and Lumbriculidae appear to have shared a common ancestor in which two male ducts enter each strium. The leeches show no obvious sign of being related to the Lumbriculidae, and the significance of Acanthobdella may be overrated. The Naididae and Tubificidae seem to be more closely related than other families, and these, together with the Lumbriculidae, Dorydrilidae and Branchiobdellida, probably constitute a monophyly defined by the possession of atria with prostates. The Phreodrilidae and Enchytraeidae occupy the middle of the cladogram below these five taxa but above the Haplotaxidae and the presumed stem form of the Lumbricina. A number of smaller families (Capilloventridae, Randiellidae, Opistocystidae and others) cannot be placed with any confidence.