Investigation 3.2: Dichotomous Keys

Using the dichotomous key above, what is the scientific name of this animal? (Hint: this animal is an herbivore and only eats plants.) (Picture of a moose)

Alces alces

Using the dichotomous key above, what is the scientific name of this animal? (Picture of a toad)

Bufo bufo

Using the dichotomous key above, what is the scientific name of this animal? (Watch the video in the hint below!) (Picture of a turtle)

Chelonia mydas

Using the dichotomous key above, what is the scientific name of this animal? (Picture of a snake)

Crotalus atrox

Using the dichotomous key above, what is the scientific name of this animal? (Picture of a butterfly)

Danaus plexippus

Based on the species names you've been working with in this dichotomous key, which of the options below is the correct way to write the scientific name of a house cat?

Felis catus

A botanist discovers a new plant in the jungle. Which of the following observations of the plant's characteristics would be useful in determining its identity with a dichotomous key?

Its leaves are yellow and curl up on the edges.

Using the dichotomous key above, what is the scientific name of this animal? (Picture of a frog)

Lithobates palustris

Using the dichotomous key above, what is the scientific name of this animal? (Picture of a locust)

Locusta migratoria

Using the dichotomous key above, what is the scientific name of this animal? (Picture of a salamander/lizard type thing)

Notophthalmus viridescens

Let's practice with a simple dichotomous key. Your goal is to classify this organism using the following key. (Picture of a spider) What can this organism be classified as being part of?

Order Araneae

Using the dichotomous key above, what is the scientific name of this animal? (Hint: this animal is an omnivore. It eats plants and scavenges for small bugs and insects, but it is not a hunter.) (Picture of a raccoon)

Procyon lotor

Using the dichotomous key above, what is the scientific name of this animal? (Picture of a squirrel)

Sciurus carolinensis

A dichotomous key for trees is provided. Hikers found a tree that has large brown cones and single sharp needles. What species of tree have the hikers found?

Spruce

What step do we always start with when using dichotomous keys?

Step 1

More than one dichotomous key can be developed to identify the same group of organisms.

True

Using the dichotomous key above, what is the scientific name of this animal? (Picture of a bird)

Turdus migratorius

Using the dichotomous key above, what is the scientific name of this animal? (Picture of a fox)

Vulpes vulpes

What is the purpose of a dichotomous key? (Select all that apply.)

- to identify organisms