KEYS
‣ A scheme used for identification of plants and animals is known as Keys.
‣ The term Key refers to set of alternate characters arranged in sequence manner (by selecting or eliminating the characters according to their presence or absence in the organism) are used for identification.
‣ The Taxonomic Keys are based on contrasting characters generally called as Couplets. It represents the choice made between two opposite options.
‣ Each statement in the couplet is called as Lead.
‣ Ex- Frog, Fish, Bat, Cat, Bird
1. External Ear Present – Bat, Cat
External Ear Absent – Frog, Fish, Birds
2. Wings Are Present – Bat
Wings Are Absent – Cat
3. Wings Are Present – Birds
Wings Are Absent – Frog, Fish
4. Gills Are Present – Fish
Gills Are Absent – Frog
‣ Separate taxonomic keys are required for each taxonomic category like Family, Genus, Species.
‣ These are more useful in identification of unknown organism. Keys are generally analytical in nature.
KEYS ARE OF TWO TYPES
1. Indented Keys
2. Bracketed Keys
INDENTED KEYS
‣ Also known as Yoked Keys.
‣ It has sequence of forms of different characters.
BRACKETED KEYS
‣ Also known as Parallel Keys.
‣ It includes one pair of contrasting statement for a given character.
MONOGRAPH
‣ Gives detailed information of any one Family or Genus at a given time.
‣ Ex- Monograph of Genus Pinus
‣ The first ever Monograph of a plant taxon was given in 1672 as Plantarum Umbelliferarum Distribution Nova by Robert Morison.
MANUALS
‣ Provides information of plants and animals.
‣ Complied information about Area Covered, Keys, Description of Families, Genera, Species, Specific Group of Plants.
‣ Ex - Manual of Aquatic Plants.
PUBLICATIONS / JOURNALS
‣ Like periodicals and dictionaries are brought out to provide information about new additions and updated information’s.
‣ Results of ongoing research are updated.
‣ Ex - Flora
FLORA
‣ This flora is an book.
‣ Contains the actual account of habit and distribution of plants of a given area.
‣ These provide index to the plant species found in a particular area.
THERE ARE SEVERAL FLORA’S IN INDIA SUCH AS
‣ Flora of British India (J.D Hooker)
‣ Flora of Delhi (J.K Maheshwari)
‣ Flora Simlensis (H. Collet)
‣ Flora of Bombay (T. Cook)
CATALOGUE
‣ Contains alphabetical arrangement of species found in particular area and also description of that species in also available.