How to use the key

This key has been constructed using the LUCID version 3.4 software. See Lucidcentral for more information.

Use the 'launch key' button to start the key. A java applet will be up loaded to enable the key to run.

Terminology - in this guide we have stuck to the terminology used by LUCID. You will encounter several references to 'features' in the guide below. Features are a basic part of any LUCID key and can be defined as the characters, in this case morphological characters, used to make an identification.

(1) You may wish to use the mouse to drag the partitions between the sub windows towards the bottom of the window to increase the image display area.

lucid screenshot

Expand the ‘features available’ sub window by using the mouse to drag the partition down (red arrow).

(2) To move through the key you need to compare your specimen to the different states illustrated for the features. Select the feature state that most closely resembles that feature on your specimen. We have included images to illustrate all feature states; these will appear as thumbnail images in the top left window. To expand these thumbnail images simply click on them (make sure that your browser has popups enabled).

(3) The most efficient way of selecting which features to examine is to use the 'find best' tool, operated by clicking the button showing a wand. Alternatively, if you want to choose another feature manually (e.g. because the best feature is not visible on your specimen), then you can expand the feature tree manually by clicking on the '+' boxes down the left hand side of the feature tree. Alternatively use the 'find next best' tool operated by clicking the button showing a wand with a right arrow. This will ignore the initial best feature and jump to the next most discriminating feature.

lucid screenshot

Find best tool (green circle); Find next best tool (red circle)

(4) As you select more and more feature states found on your specimen you will notice that taxa are being pruned from the top right, 'entities remaining' window, and appearing in the bottom right, 'entities discarded' window. Once you have only one taxa remaining in the top right window you have an identification. N.B. It is a good idea to fully expand the entities tree: first activate the 'entities remaining' window by clicking within it, then click the expand trees button.

lucid screenshot

Expand trees button (orange circle)