Name____________________
Period __
.
Key
1. A. Body kite-like in shape (if viewed from the top) ...................................................Go to statement 12
B. Bay not kite-like in shape (if viewed from the top) ..................................................Go to statement 2
2. A. Pelvic fin absent and nose saw-like ...........................................: ......................Family Pristiophoridae
B. Pelvic fin present ....... ................................................................................................. Go to statement 3
3. A. Six gill slits present .................................. ............. ..........................................…..Family Hexanchidae
B. Five gill slits present ..................................... ................................... ...........………..Go to statement 4
4. A. Only one dorsal fin .................................................. ......................................…...Family Scyliorhinidae
B. Two dorsal fins .............................................. ........................... ................................ .Go to statement 5
A. Mouth at front of head rather than back along underside of head ...............……Family Rhinocodontidae
B. Mouth back along underside of head ....................... ............................................... ... Go to statement 6
6. A. Head expanded on side with eyes at end of expansion ...............................………..Family Sphymidae
B. Head not expanded .............. ...................... .. ...................... .. .................................... ...Go to statement 7
A. Top half of caudal fin exactly same size and shape as bottom half ..............................Family Isuridae
B. Top half of caudal fin different in size and shape than bottom half ..............................Go to statement 8
7.
A. First dorsal fin very long, almost half total length of body ………………………..Family Pseudotiakidae
B. First dorsal fin regular length …………………………………………………..……..Go to statement 9
9. A. Caudal fin very long, almost as long as entire body ……… .Family Alopiidae
B. Caudal fin regular length ...............................................……………………………….Go to statement 10
10. A. A long needlelike point on end of nose .......................................................Family Scapanorhynchidae
B. Nose without long point ................................................. .......................................... ... Go to statement 11
11. A. Anal fin absent ..............................................................................………………......Family Squalidae
B. Anal fin present ....................................................................... ...................…….... Family Carcharhinidae
12. A. Small dorsal fin present near tip of rail ................................. ... ....................................Family Rajidae
B. No dorsal fin present near tip of tail ........................... ........ ......................................…Go to statement 13
13. A. Front of animal with two horn-like appendages .......... ............. ............................ .Family Mobulidae
B. No horn-like appendages ......................... ...... ...... ................ . ................................ ...Family Dasyatidae
Analysis
1. What is a biological key and how is it used?
2. List four different characteristics or traits that were used in the shark key.
3. (a) What main trait could be used to separate shark 4 from shark 8?
___________________________
(b) What main trait could be used to separate shark 4 form shark 7?
___________________________
(c) What main trait could be used to separate shark 5 from shark 12?
__________________________
4. Prepare your own key for the five fish in figure 32-3. Use the same format as the
previous page. The
family names to be used are the numbers I, II, III, IV, and V. Your key should correctly
use traits that
will lead to each fish family. To help you get started, we have given you a suggestion
for part of the
first statements.
1. A. Fish with long tube-like body.
B. Fish with regular body shape.
5. These leaves (needles) in figure 32-4 are all from different pine trees and are
drawn life size. Note that
each bundle contains different numbers and lengths of leaves. Design a key which
will classify each
tree. You may use a ruler if necessary.
