DICHOTOMOUS KEY (PC 1.2.2 – 1.2.
4)
Scientists have identified and classified over one and a half million species of animals, plants, fungi
and other organisms on the earth. Species are identified by scientists all over the world by a uniform
classification and naming system.
What is Classification?
Classification: putting things into orderly groups based on similar characteristics
Early classification was done by
Aristotle, he grouped everything into
simple groups such as animals or
plants. He then grouped animals
according to if they had blood or
didn’t have blood, and if they had live
young or laid eggs, and so on…
Taxonomy: the science of describing, naming, and classifying organisms.
Binomial Nomenclature:
Developed by Carolus Linnaeus
Swedish Biologist 1700’s
Two-name system
Genus and species named using Latin
or Greek words.
Rules used to write scientific names:
An organism’s genus is always written first;
the organism’s species is always written
second.
The genus is Capitalized; the species is
written in lower case.
Scientific names of organisms are always
italicized or underlined.
e.g. Ursus maritimus
The modern system of classification has 8 levels:
Domain
Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
Definition:
A system for identifying organisms that offers two, and only two alternatives at each choice.
It is a process of identifying an organism with a series of steps, each containing two
questions. The answers lead you along a path until the organism is identified.
NB: Scientists Need to Speak the Same Language!
Nomenclature: How scientists name living things by sorting into groups.
Taxonomic Key (Dichotomous Key):
Paired statements that describe the physical characteristics of different organisms.
Dichotomous (dīˈkätəməs) means divided in two parts.
When you use a dichotomous key, you follow a path. Each choice along the path has only
two questions. The answer is always YES or NO.
Example of a Key
• What is this crazy bug????
Basic Rules for Constructing Dichotomous Keys
• All parts of the key should be dichotomous. Never use trichotomies.
• Always give contrasting, alternative characteristics in each couplet. Use clear-cut opposites.
• Taxonomic names should never be used in the characteristic description.
• Use characteristics that are convenient and obvious features of the organism.
• Each step involves making choices between 2 characteristics. The characteristics are grouped
1a and 1b, 2a and 2b and so forth.
Another Example of a Key
Suppose you have four insects a ladybug, a housefly, a dragonfly and a grasshopper.
After studying the insects, what characteristics could you use to start separating the four insects??
• wing covering
• body shape
• where the wings point towards
To begin the key, you could start separating the four insects based on wing covering - "wings covered
by exoskeleton" vs. "wings not covered by exoskeleton."
The first step in the key will be organized the following way:
CHARACTERISTIC
• 1 a. wings covered by an exoskeleton
• 1 b. wings not covered by an exoskeleton
Next, the statements need to lead the observer to the next step to narrow the identification further:
CHARACTERISTIC GO TO/ IDENTIFY
• 1 a. wings covered by an exoskeleton ……………………….go to step 2
• 1 b. wings not covered by an exoskeleton …………………..go to step 3
Step 2 needs to consist of a pair of statements that will allow for the identification of the ladybug and
the grasshopper:
• 2 a. body has a round shape ………………………………….ladybug
• 2 b. body has an elongated shape …………………………….grasshopper
Step 3 needs to consist of a pair of statements that will allow for the identification of the housefly
and dragonfly:
• 3 a. wings point out from the side of the body ………………dragonfly
• 3 b. wings point to the posterior of the body ………………...housefly
NB: Notice that there were four organisms to be identified and it only took three steps. There
should be one less step than the total number of organisms to be identified in your
dichotomous key.
When using a key, keep the following in mind:
• Always read both choices, even if the first seems to be the logical one at first.
• Be sure you understand the meaning of the terms involved. Do Not Guess.
• Since living things are always somewhat variable, do not base your conclusion on a single
observation. Study several specimens to be sure your specimen is typical.
• If the choice is not clear, for whatever reason, try both divisions. If you end up with two
possible answers, read descriptions of the two choices to help you decide.
• Having arrived at an answer in a key, do not accept this as absolutely reliable. Check a
description of the organism to see if it agrees with the unknown specimen. If not, an error
has been
• Made somewhere, either in the key or in its use. The ultimate check of identifications is a
comparison of the unknown with an authentically named "Type Specimen".
Dichotomous Key for Students: GIVE IT A TRY!!!
