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Constructing a Dichotomous Key for Beetles

The document provides instructions for creating a dichotomous key to identify 18 different beetles. A dichotomous key uses a series of two choices to sort organisms into more specific groups based on distinguishing characteristics. The instructions guide the reader to: 1) Study illustrations of 18 beetles, 2) Sort the beetles into two groups based on a distinguishing characteristic, 3) Continue sorting subgroups based on single characteristics until each beetle is uniquely identified.

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IZ - 12JR 1013186 Lincoln Alexander SS
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623 views2 pages

Constructing a Dichotomous Key for Beetles

The document provides instructions for creating a dichotomous key to identify 18 different beetles. A dichotomous key uses a series of two choices to sort organisms into more specific groups based on distinguishing characteristics. The instructions guide the reader to: 1) Study illustrations of 18 beetles, 2) Sort the beetles into two groups based on a distinguishing characteristic, 3) Continue sorting subgroups based on single characteristics until each beetle is uniquely identified.

Uploaded by

IZ - 12JR 1013186 Lincoln Alexander SS
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

SBI3U Name:_ Iqra Zia.

CREATING A DICHOTOMOUS KEY

If you find an insect that you have never seen before, you could discover its identity by using a
dichotomous key. A dichotomous key uses a series of two choices to sort organisms into more
specific groups, until the resulting option depicts the identity of the unknown organism. Through
this activity, you will create your own dichotomous key to identify the below beetles.

Instructions:

1. Study the illustrations of the 18 beetles shown below.


2. Select one characteristic and sort the beetles into two groups
based on whether they have that characteristic or not.
3. Continue to select one characteristic to sort each group of
beetles into subgroups until you have 18 groups identifying
each beetle (as in diagram to the right).
4. Using the characteristics shown on your diagram, construct a
dichotomous key that someone could use to identify any beetle
from the group of 18. You can use either the flow chart method
or the question method. Create a series of numbered steps with
the first step showing the first characteristic you used. At each
step, offer 2 choices for classifying the beetle based on a single
characteristic.
Example: 1. Has a segmented body……………………………………Go to 2
1. Does not have a segmented body…………………….Go to 3
5. Remember to record the characteristics used and the paths leading to each subsequent
characteristic.
SBI3U Name:_ Iqra Zia._

DESCRIPTION OF CHARACTERISTICS Go to Step…


(a) Has characteristic X , (b) Does not have characteristic X or
STEP Name of
Or (b) Has characteristic Y Organism
1(a) Has a segmented body Go to 2
Step 1
1(b) Does not have a segmented body Go to 3

2(a) Shiny black, brown to olive beetles, sometimes with yellowish Go to 3


Step 2 marks.
2(b)Have a long body. Go to 3

3(a) Body is streamlined, oval, with the narrower end at the head Go to 4
Step 3
3(b)Boddy is round with no end at the head Go to 4

4(a) Hang head upward Go to 6


Step 4
4(b) hang head downward. Go to 5

5(a) They don’t swim Go to 6


Step 5 5(b)When swimming, they kick both hind legs simultaneously (not Go to 6
alternately).
6(a) 3 pairs of legs Go to 7
Step 6
6(b) 2 pairs of legs Go to 8

7(a) Doesn’t have any claws. Go to 9


Step 7
7(b) Last pair of a leg has a small claw Go to 8

8(a) Soft and Short Jaw for biting their prey Go to 9


Step 8
8(b)have sharp and short jaws for biting their prey Go to 9

9(a)The hind pair of legs is long, flattened, and fringed to provide Go to 10


Step 9 surface area that aids in flotation and swimming.

9(b) The hind pair of legs is short, thick to provide surface area that Go to 10
aids in flotation and swimming.
Step 10 10(a) first pair of wings hardened and thickened. Go to

10(b) first pair of wings are softened and thin. Go to

Water tiger

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