ZL 2011 – Lecture 3

Taxonomic Keys

Dr. Chandima D. Dangalle

Department of Zoology and Environment Sciences

Dr. Chandima D. Dangalle - Department of

Zoology
 Taxonomic Keys
A taxonomic key is an identification tool used for identifying
unknown specimens. It consists of descriptions and statements
based on the similarities and differences of the taxa to be
identified.
A Taxonomic Key to Pasta
1. a) Body tubular in shape. …………………………. 2.
b) Body not tubular in shape. …………………… 4.
2. a) Skin lined with small, symmetrical ridges. ………… 3.
b) Skin smooth. ………………………… Ziti edulis
3. a) Anterior and posterior ends of body slanted.
………………………. Penna rigata
b) ) Anterior and posterior ends of organism perpendicular to
body axis …………………… 4.

Dr. Chandima D. Dangalle - Department of

Zoology
4. a) Ridges spirally distributed. ………………….. Rotinii spiralis
b) Ridges not spirally distributed on body.
…………………… Rigatonii deliciosus

5. a) Body snail-shaped. …………………………………. Conchus crispus

b) Body not snail-shaped. Body bow-shaped.

………………………………. Farfalla aurea

Dr. Chandima D. Dangalle - Department of

Zoology
Dr. Chandima D. Dangalle - Department of
Zoology
 Ziti edulis

Penna rigata

Dr. Chandima D. Dangalle - Department of

Zoology
 Rotinii spiralis

Rigatonii deliciosus

Dr. Chandima D. Dangalle - Department of

Zoology
 Conchus crispus

Farfalla aurea

Dr. Chandima D. Dangalle - Department of

Zoology
 Dichotomous Keys
Identifying an organisms taxonomic group or common name
using two mutually exclusive parallel statements is known as
a dichotomous key. The two statements are known as a
couplet. One statement of the couplet is known as a lead.
A couplet describes a character of the organism. Character
maybe qualitative (colour, texture), or it maybe quantitative
(measurements). The choice made in the couplet leads to a
new couplet of the key.
A dichotomous key provides characteristics that
progressively becomes more specific.

Dr. Chandima D. Dangalle - Department of

Zoology
 Dichotomous Key Types

1. Bracketed Keys
Two leads of the couplet are directly below each other. Easy
to compare the two alternatives.

Dr. Chandima D. Dangalle - Department of

Zoology
2. Indented Keys
Follow-up couplets below the lead.

Dr. Chandima D. Dangalle - Department of

Zoology
Dr. Chandima D. Dangalle - Department of
Zoology
3. Pictorial Keys
For the use of field workers and non-specialists.

Dr. Chandima D. Dangalle - Department of

Zoology
4. Box Keys
For the use of field workers and non-specialists.

5. Circular Keys

Dr. Chandima D. Dangalle - Department of

Zoology
6. Branching Keys

Dr. Chandima D. Dangalle - Department of

Zoology
Limitations/ Problems in Using Taxonomic Keys
1. Poses problems with variant forms. Most taxonomic keys
have been constructed for male adults. Less attention has
been given to females. Most larval keys only consider the
final instar stage.
2. The majority of taxonomic keys are limited to taxa of a
certain geographic region.

Dr. Chandima D. Dangalle - Department of

Zoology
3. Problems arise when using measurement of organisms.
Measurements (body length, elytral index, wing span) are
important in describing new taxa especially at the species
level. However, they should not be unrealistically precise.
Body length 7.58 mm is an unrealistic figure.
Measurements should be given as a range 1.5 – 2.0 mm.
If 2.0 mm, this means body length of the considered organism
is not 1.9 mm or 2.1 mm, but only 2.0 mm. However, if 2 mm,
body length can vary from 2.1 mm to 2.9 mm.
The condition of the part of measurement should be
provided. When taking dry measurements they can be
contracted, while wet parts are extended. In insects, antennae
have telescope ability (ability to extend).
The initial and end point of measurement should be given.

Dr. Chandima D. Dangalle - Department of

Zoology
4. Inadequate and incorrect use of morphological and
scientific terminology.
In insect keys certain morphological structures are named
incorrectly. Scutellum being named as scutellar shield. The
term tegmen being used for different structures in different
insects.

Common names being used for scientific terminology. Upper

lip for “Labrum”. Lower lip for “Labium”. Jaws for “Mandible”.
Dr. Chandima D. Dangalle - Department of
Zoology
5. The character under consideration may differ according to
the magnification, image source (mobile phone camera,
DSLR camera, image taken from website), background
noise, number of specimens/ images used and the
dimension/ angle of the organism viewed.

Magnification Background noise

Dr. Chandima D. Dangalle - Department of

Zoology
6. Insufficient morphological knowledge and skills of the
user and constructor will result in misinterpretation and
overlooking of important features of identification.
7. Obsolescence. Older keys may not include new species
and the names may be outdated.

Dr. Chandima D. Dangalle - Department of

Zoology
 Numerical Taxonomy
Biosystematics is closely linked with numerical
taxonomy.
In numerical taxonomy the various types of data
obtained – morphological, genetic, physiological,
ethological, chemical, distributional – are converted to
mathematical quantities and used to arrive to
decisions in classification.
Numerical taxonomy is carried out with the aid of
computers and therefore is capable of accomodating
large amounts of data in less amount of time.

Dr. Chandima D. Dangalle - Department of

Zoology
In numerical taxonomy the resemblance between
species/ taxa are considered. For this coefficients
are calculated. Coefficients can be,
Similarity coefficients
Dissimilarity or Distance coefficients

Using a huge quantity of data and coefficients,

taxa are classified so that a specific group will
constitute of members more similar to eachother
than to non-members.
Members of a taxonomic group shows taxonomic
relationships. These relationships are of two main
kinds. Dr. Chandima D. Dangalle - Department of
Zoology