Requirements

This tool offers a Javascript-based interactive key built using Lucid3 software. Lucid3 is software for creating and using interactive identification keys. Lucid is developed by Identic in Brisbane, Australia. Visit the Lucidcentral website for more information on Lucid and Lucid3.

Any modern web browser can be used, such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, or Safari. Javascript must be enabled.

An interactive matrix key is quite different from a traditional dichotomous key. Please consult the Best Practices on occasion to pick up new tips and tricks for using the interactive key.

Web pages such as fact sheets attached to entities in Lucid keys may be considered pop-ups by certain browsers (such as Internet Explorer). If your browser blocks pop-ups, you will need to allow pop-ups for this Lucid tool in your browser's Internet settings.

Screen Windows

A Lucid key has four panels.

1. •The upper left window Features Available lists the identification features and feature states to choose from.
   

2. •The upper right window Entities Remaining lists the available taxa.
   

3. •The lower left window Features Chosen lists which feature states are currently selected.
   

4. •The lower right window Entities Discarded lists the taxa that have been discarded based the features that have been selected.
   

Navigating the Key

Usually, you will be presented with a long list of features. Do not feel compelled to go in any particular order. If hierarchical trees are used, feature and entity trees can be expanded by clicking the “+” next to the grouping feature or entity. Feature states are selected by clicking once in the checkbox next to the state name. Clicking a second time deselects the state. As feature states are selected, the entities that do not have those features will be moved into the Entities Discarded panel.

Often, entities and feature states are illustrated with drawings and/or photographs. Clicking on the image thumbnail (or image icon if thumbnails are not displayed) brings up a larger size image and gives the user access to the full image gallery for the feature state or entity, if available. Features and entities may also be linked to HTML pages containing more information or fact sheets for the taxon. Clicking the small grey page icon next to the entity or feature will open the information page or fact sheet in a new browser window or tab, depending on your browser settings.