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Dichotomous Key

The document provides instructions for creating a dichotomous key, which is a tool used to identify different species. It describes a 10 step process to: 1) select 10 species to identify, 2) create scientific names and illustrations for each species, 3) use distinguishing characteristics to divide the species into two groups, 4) further divide each group until each species is individually identified, 5) construct a key leading the user through the divisions, 6) test the key and refine as needed. Templates are provided to create the key and answer key to identify the illustrations.

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100% found this document useful (1 vote)

2K views9 pages

Dichotomous Key

Uploaded by

api-212901753

We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.

Available Formats

Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

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Make your own: Dichotomous Key

In this project, you will be creating a dichotomous key. To create your key,
follow the steps outlined below. Good Luck, Have Fun, and Be Creative!
1. Choose a group of non-scientific items that interest you. Example:
Candy, Shoes, Aliens, made up animals, etc.
2. Select 10 different species from this group. Locate or create images
of each one and draw them out (paper and colours on the side table).
3. Create scientific names (Genus species) using some of the latin
reference words in this package or others you research.
4. Decide upon a way to divide the items into two groups. Think of
identifying characteristics such as shape, size, position, colour, texture,
etc. One characteristic must be defined and used to decide which
items are place in which group. For example (see last pages): a group
of big cats could be divided into those with long tails and those with
short tails. The groups created must be opposites of each other.
5. Record what factor was used to make the division and note which
members of the original group belonged to each resulting group.
6. After two groups (A and B) have been created, divide the first group (A)
into two more groups based again on one criterion (C and D). For
example, if group A were the short tailed cats, group C might be short
tailed cats with a plain coloured coat. Group D would then be short
tailed cats with a patterned coat.
7. Do the same with group B.
8. Continue to divide the groups until each item is by itself. Keep careful
records of the groups that were created and the dividing criteria.
9. Looking at your records and the divisions you made, create a
dichotomous key that would lead someone else to make the same
distinctions you did. Begin your key by recalling the first factor you
used to divide into two groups. Again, using the big cat example: The
first group was created depending on tail length. So the first question
(1a) should be: Does the cat have a short tail? If so, go to step 2. The
second question (1b) should be the other choice: Does the cat have a
long tail? If so go to step??? (you may need to wait until you have
worked through several steps of the key to assign the second
destination.
10.
You can use the attached paper as a framework to fill in your key
or you can type your own.
11.
When your key is complete, ask someone else to use it to classify
and identify the items. Does your key lead others to the same
identifications you made? If not, you may need to make some changes.

Important Requirements
-

Include a page with the 10 illustrations you made.

They should be identified only by the letters A-J. Do not include the

names on this page!

Make an answer key so you know if other people figure it out properly.

Helpful Hints
-

While you are constructing your key, you must be specific as possible
so that the user does not become confused. If the two choices are not
precise, a user can easily choose the wrong one, and may get the

wrong classification or have to start over.

Have several people use the key to see if their answers match with
yours. If they do not, analyze the key with them and compare your
choices to see where they got confused. You may need to reword your

choices.
All keys should have one fewer steps than items. So your key should

have 9 steps with two choices for each one.

There is sample key on big cats at the end of the package for reference
and two key templates for practice.

Key to Wild Cats

Name: ________________________
Period: ____________

1a. The cat has a short tail.go to Step2

1b. The cat has a long tail.go to Step 3
2a. The cat is speckled with long ear black-tipped ear tufts
and long,beard-like cheek ruff.it is a lynx, Felis lynx
2b. The cat has indistinct spots, short ear tufts, white spots on its ears,
and a broad cheek ruffit is a bobcat, Felis rufus
3a. The cat has a plainly colored body..go to Step 4
3b. The cat has a patterned body.go to Step 7
4a. The cat has a distinct mane around
its neck (males only)..it is a lion, Panthera leo
4b. The cat has no mane around its neck..go to Step 5
5a. The cat is mostly tan to brown in colorgo to Step 6
5b. The cat is black in color.it is a black leopard, Panther pardus
6a. The cat is tan above with white to buff below.it is a mtn. lion, Felis concolor
6b. The cat is brown all over the body.it is a jaguarondi, Felis yagouarundi
7a. The cat has an orange colored body with noticeable
black stripes.it is a Bengal tiger, Panthera tigris
7b. The cat has a pattern on its body other than stripesgo to Step 8
8a. The cat is clearly larger than a house cat..go to Step 9
8b. The cat is about the same size as a house cat..it is a margay, Felis wiedii
9a. The cat has black-bordered brown spots, tending to
form lines on the bodyit is an ocelot, Felis pardalis
9b. The cat is large, spotted with black rosettes or rings in
horizontal rows..it is a jaguar, Panathera onca

Answer Key

A. Mountain lion, Felis concolor

B. Bobcat, Felis rufus
C. Lynx, Felis lynx
D. Ocelot, Felis pardalis
E. Jaguar, Panathera onca

F. Margay, Felis wiedii

G. Jaguarondi, Felis yagouarundi
H. Lion, Panthera leo
I. Bengal tiger, Panthera tigris
J. Black leopard, Panther pardus

Key Template: Use the following template to create your dichotomous key.

Title: Key to Identifying __________________________

Step 1
1a.

Go To:

1b.
Step 2

2a.
2b.

Step 3

3a.
3b.

Step 4

4a.
4b.

Step 5

5a.
5b.

Step 6

6a.
6b.

Step 7

7a.
7b.

Step 8

8a.
8b.

Step 9

9a.
9b.

Key Template: Use the following template to create your dichotomous key.
Title: Key to Identifying __________________________