Guide/Multikeys

(this page is presently under construction-November 30, 2007)

introduction

This guide is intended as a general introduction to using a multikey created in mx.

Key components: tools to help reach an identification

main key: a matrix based, user character choice key. Can begin an identification with any character.
compare : compare OTU (operational taxonomic units) with each other. Displays the characters coded for each OTU
compare by characters: groups OTUs by character/character states.
chosen figures: displays all of the images chosen while working through the key. A good place to review the choices already made that brought you to the present identification. Figures can be returned to the main key. when a figure is returned to the main key the character is also returned AND all of the OTUs that choice originally eliminated!
remaining figures: figures not chosen so far in the identification. Can choose figures from this list and work through the key using only these figures (which represent a character state).
chosen states: lists the states chosen while working through the key. You can return a state to the key from this list (when you return a state to the key, you return the character, the associated figures and any OTUs choosing that character state eliminated)

Figures in mx multikey are often images but can be other things. Figures that are images will link to bigger versions of themselves or may link to Morphbank records and annotations. To display figures associated with a character or OTU use the figure(s) link.