Question

Keys are

• A. Generally analytical in nature
• B. Same for all taxonmic categories
• C. Based on contrasting characters in pair called lead
• D. Non-analytical in nature

Answer 1

Answer: (A)

The key or taxonomic key is an artificial analytic system having a list of statements with a dichotomic table of alternate characteristics that are used for identifying organisms. Taxonomic Keys is an essential taxonomic aid. Key is a set of alternate characters (couplet) of different types are arranged in such a fashion that selecting and eliminating one can quickly eliminate or select organisms. Each statement of the key is called a lead. It is a specific device used to identify categories like class, order, family, genus and species of all the organisms. Separate taxonomic keys are required for the identification of each group. Key are two types:

• Indented (yoked) key
• Bracketed key

In the indented key, there is a sequence of two or more alternate characters based on which selection and elimination are done. In contrast, in a bracketed key, the alternate characters are given numbers in brackets.