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