What is the role of the keys in taxonomy?Illustrate with an example.
Taxonomic keys are written characteristic information that helps a person to identify an unknown species of living organism. The taxonomic key provides a certain structure on the basis of which the user can sort out the taxonomic position of the unknown species.
Indented key provides number of choices between two or more contrasting characters.
For example,
- Able to disappear
- Wings absent
- Body covered by furs
- Wings present
- Unable to disappear
- Body covered by feathers
In Bracketed key the two or more contrasting characters always remain in pairs.
For example,
- Able to disappear
- Unable to disappear
- Wings present
- Wings absent