When making a taxonomic key, sometimes it is easier to start with a spider key.
For example: If you want to create a taxonomic key for 4 different kinds of candy,
you start by making a…
Spider key
2a. round
Traditional taxonomic key
Lollipop
1a. hard
1 a. Hard…………….…..go to 2
1 b. Soft……………….…go to 3
2b. not round
Candies
and then you make the…
3a. triangle
Candy hearts
Candy corn
2 a. Round…………….…Lollipop
2 b. Not Round ………….Candy Heart
3 a. Triangle……………..Candy Corn
1b. soft
3b. not
triangle
Gummy bears
3 b. Not triangle…..……..Gummy Bear
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This is another example of a Candy Taxonomic (dichotomous) Key
Can you guess which candies are below?
Source: www.nylearns.org/FileDownloader.aspx?FID=37866 and http://biology.uta.edu/introlabs/1442/Susana%20Notes/Class%20and%20Tax.pdf