|
1. A list of characteristics drawn up to enable speedy identification of a specimen. Prominent contrasting features are given at each stage in the key so that by a process of elimination successively smaller groupings of organisms are split off until the specimen can be identified. Simple keys to flowering plants often rely solely on flower structure. For example, the first step in the key may be to form a number of groups on the basis of petal number. The second stage could be to subdivide these groups on the basis of flower colour and further subdivisions could then be made by petal shape, flower symmetry, etc. The groupings derived from such a key are artificial rather than natural and this method of identification has the disadvantage that if a mistake is made at any stage identification will be completely wrong.
|
