identifying vertebrates using classification keys

Identifying Vertebrates Using Classification Keys

1

Name _______________

Background Information:

Organisms such as vertebrates are classified into groups according to

certain characteristics. Using these characteristics, classification keys can be

developed. Biologists and science students can use these classification keys to

identify unfamiliar organisms. Such keys are also useful in studying common

characteristics and relationships among organisms. In this investigation, you will learn to use

simple classification key to identify some organisms.

Problem:

How a classification is key used to identify various animals?

Materials: Pencil and lab

Procedure:

Animals with backbones, also called vertebrates, can be divided into five major groups: fish,

amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Fish, amphibians, and reptiles are coldblooded

because their body temperatures change with the environment. Mammals and birds are warm-

blooded because their body temperatures remain fairly constant. Some animals in each of

these groups have become extinct, or completely died out, primarily because of the activities of

humans. Ten such extinct animals are pictured on the back pages.

1- Study these animals and identify their characteristics by completing

the Data Table.

2- Using the information from the pictures and the Data Table, the

accompanying classification key was developed. See if you can classify

each animal by placing it in its correct position in this key.

3- Answer the lab questions.


2

Observations:

Data Table

Observe each animal and place a check √ in the box if it has that characteristic, but leave

blank if it does not.


3

Classification Key for 10 Extinct Animals

1a Is warmblooded…………………………………………………… Go to 2

1b Is coldblooded …………………………………………………….. Go to 6

2a Has feathers …………………………………………. ………….. Go to 3

2b Has hair or fur …………………………………………. ……………. Go to 4

3a Has narrow, straight beak …………………………………………. ______________________

3b Has wide crooked beak ……………………………………………… ______________________

4a Has horns ……………………………………………………………… Go to 5

4b Has no horns …………………………………………………………... ______________________

5a Horns have many branches …………………………………………. ______________________

5b Horns have no branches …………………………………………. ______________________

6a Breathes with gills ………………………………………………….. Go to 7

6b Breathes with lungs ……………………………………………….. Go to 8

7a Has large, fan-shaped fins just below the head……………… ______________________

7b Has small pectoral fins…………………………………………. ______________________

8a Has scaly skin ……………………………………………………………. Go to 9

8b Has smooth (no scales) skin…………………………………………. ______________________

9a Has front and hind legs …………………………………………. ______________________

9b Has no legs …………………………………………. _______________________


4

Conclusions:

1. Cold blooded organisms cannot generate all their body heat and rely on the

environment to maintain the proper temperature. Which of the 10 animals in this lab

are cold blooded?

2. The Palestinian painted frog is an amphibian. How are amphibians different from

reptiles?

3. Mammals are warm blooded, have hair or fur, breathe with lungs, give birth to live

young. Which of the 10 animals in this lab are mammals?

4. The two classes of vertebrates that are warm blooded are the birds and the mammals.

Which of the 10 animals are warm blooded?

Which of the 10 animals are birds?

5. Which one of the following pairs of vertebrates are most like each other (share the most

characteristics)? Circle your choice.

Birds and Fish Amphibians and Reptiles

Reptiles and Mammals Fish and Mammals


5


6

identifying vertebrates using classification keys

Documents