Using the TMT key

How to use the key

This multi-entry key is comprised of 33 families and 129 species. This key provides the user with multiple identification characters that can be selected at any time (in any order), as opposed to having sequentially paired options characteristic of a traditional dichotomous key.

TMT key window

The browser window is divided into quadrants.

• upper left window: Features Available – this is a list of the features and states to select for the identification of specimens of interest.
• upper right window: EntitiesEntities:
  See also entity
  Remaining – list of families, genera and species that could possibly be the specimen of interest.
• lower left window: Features Chosen – list of features or states currently selected.
• lower right window: EntitiesEntities:
  See also entity
  Discarded – list of families, genera, and/or specie,s discarded from the characters available section based on the states previously selected.

Initiating the key

The first characterCharacter:
1). A distinctive trait, quality or attribute used for recognizing, describing, or differentiating taxa; 2). The term used to denote such descriptive traits that possess states and are located within the Lucid version 2 (and later) interactive matrix panel. (compare feature)
in the key will be a dependency characterCharacter:
1). A distinctive trait, quality or attribute used for recognizing, describing, or differentiating taxa; 2). The term used to denote such descriptive traits that possess states and are located within the Lucid version 2 (and later) interactive matrix panel. (compare feature)
, meaning that subsequent selections in the key are based on this characterCharacter:
1). A distinctive trait, quality or attribute used for recognizing, describing, or differentiating taxa; 2). The term used to denote such descriptive traits that possess states and are located within the Lucid version 2 (and later) interactive matrix panel. (compare feature)
. This dependency characterCharacter:
1). A distinctive trait, quality or attribute used for recognizing, describing, or differentiating taxa; 2). The term used to denote such descriptive traits that possess states and are located within the Lucid version 2 (and later) interactive matrix panel. (compare feature)
state is used to discriminate between a snail and a slugSlug:
A snail that either does not possess a shell or has one that is very reduced (no definite coiling) or internal.
to allow the end user to progress through the key more efficiently.

Subsequent selections

Each featureFeature:
1). A distinctive trait, quality or attribute used for recognizing, describing, or differentiating taxa; 2). The term used to denote such descriptive traits that possess states and are located within the Lucid version 3 interactive matrix panel. (compare character)
may have two or more characterCharacter:
1). A distinctive trait, quality or attribute used for recognizing, describing, or differentiating taxa; 2). The term used to denote such descriptive traits that possess states and are located within the Lucid version 2 (and later) interactive matrix panel. (compare feature)
states. The selection options can be made visible by clicking on the arrow at the left corner of each characterCharacter:
1). A distinctive trait, quality or attribute used for recognizing, describing, or differentiating taxa; 2). The term used to denote such descriptive traits that possess states and are located within the Lucid version 2 (and later) interactive matrix panel. (compare feature)
state. The desired characterCharacter:
1). A distinctive trait, quality or attribute used for recognizing, describing, or differentiating taxa; 2). The term used to denote such descriptive traits that possess states and are located within the Lucid version 2 (and later) interactive matrix panel. (compare feature)
state can be selected by clicking directly onto the thumbnail photograph or illustration or the checkbox located adjacent to the characterCharacter:
1). A distinctive trait, quality or attribute used for recognizing, describing, or differentiating taxa; 2). The term used to denote such descriptive traits that possess states and are located within the Lucid version 2 (and later) interactive matrix panel. (compare feature)
state. Also note that multiple selections can be made within each feature/state (e.g., in the diagram on the right, filamentous and tubular can both be selected).

There is a featureFeature:
1). A distinctive trait, quality or attribute used for recognizing, describing, or differentiating taxa; 2). The term used to denote such descriptive traits that possess states and are located within the Lucid version 3 interactive matrix panel. (compare character)
called “find best”, that can be useful. It is represented by the magic wand icon at the top of the page. This function will select the best characters that are most useful in separating the remaining taxa.

Each stateState:
The basic component or distinct phase of a Lucid feature or character that can be observed, measured, or otherwise assessed.
’s photograph can be expanded by clicking on it.

Final selection