PIAkey_v1.1.beta

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PIAkey

The PIAkey (Pacific Invasive Ant key) is a project currently under development that seeks to provide a user-friendly identification guide to the most common invasive ants of the Pacific Island region. Although the focus of the project is geared towards the Pacific region, the guide is widely applicable across many tropical regions.

The key is being developed using Lucid3 and Factsheet Fusion software. The software takes a matrix-based approach to identification keys, and allows for the integration of multimedia, such as html, live images, automontage images and video.

Disclaimer

Please consider that this key does not include native ant species of the Pacific region, and there are many additional invasive ant species that are not included in this version. Therefore, even if you are confident you have chosen all the character states correctly, it is possible that the specimen you are identifying is not represented by any of the species remaining in the key. Take a careful look at your specimen, and compare it with the images provided in the key to see if your identification is plausible.

Best practices for using a Lucid3 key

Lucid matrix keys represent a major advancement over the traditional dichotomous keys that most of us are familiar with. Although Lucid matrix keys can be more user-friendly than traditional keys, there are a variety of options and strategies that can make them more powerful than they appear at first. It is recommended that the user read the Lucid Best practice guidelines for making an identification using Lucid Player.

Feedback

Feedback on the utility, accuracy and design of the key will be extremely helpful for designing the best possible final product. Any comments or suggestions will be grately appreciated, and can be sent to Eli Sarnat at <ndemik@yahoo.com>.