1. What taxon (classification levels) are represented by the scientific name of an organism? What are the rules for writing the scientific name?

2. If two different people use the same dichotomous key to identify the same organism, should they have different results? Explain.

1. a) Species. It is the lowest taxon and represents the scientific name of the organism.

b) The species name is part of the binomial system of nomenclature developed by Linnaeus.

Thus it is composed of two parts each with its own writing rules (ex. gray wolf - Canis lupus):

A. the genus or generic name

- written first

- always underlined or italicized

- the first letter is always capitalized

ex. Canis

B. the specific epithet or species name

- is written second

- always underlined or italicized

- never capitalized

ex. lupus

2. The results should always be the same. A dichotomous key is an identification tool based on a series of choices between alternative characters (dichotomous = divided into two parts). Thus, there is no room for subjective observation that may lead to another result. If the morphological traits of the organism are correctly identified, the the result should always be the same. Any differences occur due to errors on the scientist's part.