Dichotomous Keys Name: ______________

Chapter Outline
Introduction
Characteristics of a Dichotomous Key
Sample Dichotomous Key
Practice Dichotomous Keys
Questions

Introduction
How do you identify organisms in the field or lab?
Naturalist books

Dichotomous key
A key where the sequence and structure of identification steps is fixed by the
author of the key.
At each point in the decision process, multiple alternatives are offered, each
leading to a result or a further choice.

Characteristics of a Dichotomous Key

Simple
Two choices
Specific choice options
 1a. Animal has feathers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Go to 2
1b. Animal does not have feathers . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .Go to 5
2a. Lower bill makes a large scoop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Pelican
2b. Lower bill not shaped like a large scoop . . . . . . . . . .Go to 3
3a. Tail shaped like a fork . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Chimney swift
3b. Tail not shaped like a fork . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Go to 4
4a. Feathers are pink . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Pink flamingo
4b. Feathers are white . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Swan
5a. Body elongated and with no lateral appendages . . . . . Snake
5b. Body either not elongated or has lateral appendages . .Go to 6
6a. Body with six or more legs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Go to 7
6b. Body with less than six legs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Go to 10
7a. Hind legs much larger than first pair . . . . . . . . . . . .Grasshopper
7b. Legs are the same size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Go to 8
8a. Antennae curved backward toward head . . . . . . . . . . . . Shrimp
8b. Antennae either not present or not curved backwards . Go to 9
9a. Three body segments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ant
9b. Two body segments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Spider
10a. Has a well-developed head . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Go to 11
10b. Does not have a well-developed head . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bivalve
11a. Saw-like structure is present . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Sawfish
11b. No saw-like structure present . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Clownfish
Sample Dichotomous Key
 1a.
1b.
2a.
2b.
3a.
3b.
4a.
4b.

Questions
1a.
1b.
2a.
2b.
3a.
3b.
4a.
4b.