Smiley Faces Answer Key

Original Document: Dichotomous Key with Smilies

The link above will show you the original document with the dichotomous key so that students can identify the smilies. Remind students to always start with the #1. I find them trying to shortcut by just randomly starting at a number in the middle, I've never understood why they do that. It is also for that reason that I do not number the smile pictures below, as the extra numbers tend to confuse, students will try to match them. Usually, once students get the hang of using this type of key to identify animals, it becomes very easy for them.

Smilus dramaticus	.Smilus upsettus	Smilus saddus	Smilus winkus	Smilus mutatus
Smilus piratus	Smilus valentinus	Smilus suprisus	Smilus toothyus	Smilus traditionalis

Extension:

A. The names of the smilies give you another bit of information about their taxonomy. Each of these smilies belongs to the same genus. What is their genus? _____smilus___________

B. Names are often given to an organism by the person who discovers it, though they follow certain conventions, often they are named after the person, or where the organism was found, or given a name that describes the creature. Which convention was used in naming these smilies? _______________descriptions____________

C. Suppose you discovered the new smiley pictured to the right.
What name would you give it? __answers vary, sample: Smilus alienus_____________