2.1.4—Taxonomist tools
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2026
- Objective
- 2.1.4
- Level
- HL
Choose the Identification Tool That Fits
Identify an unknown organism by matching the tool to the evidence: dichotomous key for paired traits, field guide for recognizable local forms, and DNA comparison when appearance is insufficient.
Use diagnostic features and trusted references; an app is a starting aid, not automatic proof. Museums, herbaria and databases can verify uncertain results.
A leaf with clear paired features can be narrowed with a dichotomous key; a cryptic fungus may need DNA and reference specimens.
Check diagnostic traits or a trusted reference; do not accept the first output.
Tool output is not the same as reliable identification.