Alien Invasion
Watch the video below that offers an introduction to dichotomous keys. You will need to watch it carefully, so you understand how dichotomous keys work. Complete the attached activity and record your answers. Upload and submit your completed assignment document. Dichotomous Keys: Identification Achievement Unlocked (06:37) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpKulkADzBk
Help! Aliens have landed on Earth from another planet. Before scientists can release the aliens, they want to identify and classify them.
• Use the dichotomous key provided in this document to identify these creatures.
• Enter the type (ex. Broadus hairus) next to the numbered alien in the grid below. Note: It helps to print out the alien table or open this document twice to view side by side so that you don’t have to scroll up and down to view the dichotomous key for alien creatures.
A Dichotomous Key to Alien Creatures:
1. Head
a. The creature has a large wide head – go to 2
b. The creature has a small narrow head – go to 11
2. Eyes
a. It has 3 eyes – go to 3
b. It has 2 eyes – go to 7
3. Chest
a. There is a star in the middle of its chest – go to 4
b. There is no star in the middle of its chest – go to 6
4. Hair
a. The creature has hair spikes – Broadus hairus
b. The creature has no hair spikes – go to 5
5. Bottom
a. The bottom of the creature is arch-shaped- Broadus archus
b. The bottom of the creature is M-shaped – Broadus emmus
6. Bottom Shape
a. The creature has an arch-shaped bottom – Broadus plainus
b. The creature has an M-shaped bottom – Broadus tritops
7. Spikes
a. The creature has hairy spikes – go to 8
b. The creature has no spikes – go to 10
8. Star
a. There is a star in the middle of its body – Broadus hairystarus
b. The is no star in the middle of its body – go to 9
9. Shaped Bottom
a. The creature has an arch shaped bottom – Broadus hairyemmus
b. The creature has an M shaped bottom – Broadus kiferus
10. Body Symmetry
a. The body is symmetrical – Broadus walter
b. The body is not symmetrical – Broadus Anderson
11. Antennae
a. The creature has no antennae – go to 12
b. The creature has antennae – go to 14
12. Face
a. There are spikes on the face – Narrowus wolfus
b. There are no spikes on the face – go to 13
13. Spikes
a. The creature has no spike anywhere – Narrowus blankus
b. There are spikes on the right leg – Narrowus starboardus
14. Eyes
a. The creature has 2 eyes – go to 15
b. The creature has 1 eye – Narrowus cyclops
15. Mouth
a. The creature has a mouth – go to 16
b. The creature has no mouth – go to 17
16. Legs
a. There are spikes on the left leg – Narrowus portus
b. There are no spikes at all – Narrowus plainus
17. Spikes
a. The creature has spikes – go to 18
b. The creature has no spikes – Narrowus georginia
18. Spikes
a. There are spikes on the head – go to 19
b. There are spikes on the right leg – Narrowus montanian
19. Spikes
a. There are spikes covering the face – Narrowus beardus
b. There are spikes only on the outside edge of head – Narrowus fuzzus