(7) Using keys to identify organisms

An identification key is based on a series of questions and descriptive statements to enable to identify a type of organism, and if detailed enough, a particular species of plant or animal.

Keys are useful in identifying organisms that you capture in some trapping techniques.

As you work your way down a key you gradually narrow the options as to what the organism may be.

A "Minibeast" is a term for a variety of arthropods and other invertebrates, including spiders, ants, butterflies, bees, wasps, flies, woodlice, and many others.

Part of a more complex key for minibeasts that you find on the ground, or in the air, in a garden or woodland.

Note: Centipedes can have between 15 and 177 pairs of legs depending on the species (average 35 pairs), and millipedes can have up to 200 pairs. The main difference is that centipedes have one pair of legs on each segment of their bodies and millipedes have two - I thought you would really like to know this!
 

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