DICHOTOMOUS KEYS

What is a Dichotomous Key?

• “Dichotomous” means divided into two parts
• A method of identification whereby groups of organisms are divided
into two categories repeatedly based on its characteristics.
• Typically,
a dichotomous key for identifying a particular type of
object consists of a specific series of questions. When one question
is answered, the key directs the user as to what question to ask next.
• Dichotomous keys always give two distinct choices in each step,
often they are opposites. Black/white; good/evil; pointed/rounded
 Dichotomous Key
When using a dichotomous key to identify specimens it is
preferable to use immutable features (i.e. features that do not
change)
• Size, coloration and behavioral patterns may all vary amongst individuals
and across lifetimes
• Physical structures (e.g. number of limbs) and biological processes (e.g.
reproduction methods) make for better characteristics.
 Dichotomous Key
• Diagrammatic Representation • Descriptive Representation
 Rules to Follow: Dichotomous Key
• Consider only one characteristic at a time.
• Use morphological or observable characteristics as much as you can.
• Use major characteristics when dividing the organisms in the beginning and
use lesser or less obvious characteristics to divide them into smaller groups.
• When writing contrasting statements, rely on similar word formats (i.e. have
feathers and don’t have feathers).
• Be specific in your statements and avoid repeating the same characteristics.
• Use questions that lead to yes or no answers rather than statements.
 How to Make A Dichotomous Key
• STEP 1: List down the Characteristics
• Pay attention to the specimens you are trying to identify with your dichotomous key. List
down the characteristics that you can notice. For example, say you are trying to classify a
group of animals. You may notice that some have feathers whereas others have legs, or
some have long tails and others don’t.

• STEP 2: Organize the Characteristics in Order

• When creating your dichotomous key, you need to start with the most general
characteristics first, before moving to the more specific ones. So it helps to have identified
the more obvious and less obvious contrasting characteristics among the specimen
before creating your dichotomous key.
 How to Make A Dichotomous Key
• STEP 3: Divide the Specimens
• You can use statements (i.e. has feathers and no feathers) or questions (does it have
feathers?) to divide your specimens into two groups. The first differentiation should be
made on the most general characteristic.

• STEP 4: Divide the Specimen even Further

• Based on the next contrasting characteristic, divide the specimen further. For example,
first, you may have grouped your animals as have feathers and have no feathers, in which
case the ones with feathers can be categorized as birds while you can further subdivide
the ones that have no feathers as having fur and having no fur. Continue to subdivide your
specimen by asking enough questions until you have identified and named all of them.
 How to Make A Dichotomous Key
• STEP 5: Draw a Dichotomous Key Diagram
• You can either create a text-based dichotomous key or a graphical one where you can
even use images of the specimen you are trying to identify. Here you can use a tree
diagram or a flowchart as in the examples below.

• STEP 6: Test it Out

• Once you have completed your dichotomous key, test it out to see if it works. Focus on
the specimen you are trying to identify and go through the questions in your dichotomous
tree to see if you get it identified at the end. If you think the questions in your
dichotomous key needs to be rearranged, make the necessary adjustments.
 How to use a Dichotomous Key?
STEP 1: Set up list of paired statements
• Read steps 1a and 1b
1a. Has……………………………………………..Go to step 2.
1b. No………………………………………………Go to step 3.

• Decide which statement is true.

Statement 1b is true.

• Go to Step 3, skipping steps 2a and 2b.

How to use a Dichotomous Key?
STEP 2: List traits

IMMUTABLE/GOOD CHOICES MUTABLE/BAD CHOICES

• Physical Feature • Location
• Objective • Behavior
• Specific • Color
• True most/all of the time • Subjective
 How to use a Dichotomous Key?
STEP 3: Choose ONE broad trait to separate into two groups
FILL IN STEP 1
1a.Has fur/hair…………………………………………….. YES
1b.Has no fur………………….…………….………………NO  Go to step 2
 How to use a Dichotomous Key?
STEP 4: Choose another trait to divide the 2nd group

1a. Has fur/hair…………………………………………….. YES

1b. Has no fur………………….…………….………………………………NO  Go to 2

2a. Has feathers…………………………………………….. YES

2b. Has no feathers………………….…………….…………………..…..NO  Go to 3
 How to use a Dichotomous Key?
STEP 5: Continue with paired statements until all organisms have been
identified.
1a. Has fur/hair……………………………………………….. YES
1b. Has no fur………………….…………….…………………………….….…NO  Go to 2
2a. Has feathers……………………………………………… YES
2b. Has no feathers………………….…………….………………..……..…..NO  Go to 3
3a. Internal fertilization……………………………………..YES
3b. External fertilization………………….…………….………………..…..NO  Go to 4
4a. Adult has gills………………………………………….…..YES
4b. Adult has no gills………………….…………….…………………….…..NO 
 VERTEBRATE CLASSES

Has fur/hair No fur/hair

No feathers Feathers

Mammals External fertilization Internal fertilization

Adult has gills Adult has no gills Birds

Reptiles

Fish Amphibians