Bad Keys

[Charles Hussey]

Apologies for yet another, but....

When I was working in the Wonderful World of Parasitic Worms I often had to
contend with the following:

8.  Males absent     9.

    Males present    12.

Actual example is from a key to genera of Mermithidae (Nematoda) published
in the UK. Naturally, it is less than helpful if you have only a female
specimen to identify.
Charles Hussey,
Department of Zoology, The Natural History Museum,
Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD, United Kingdom.
Tel: +44 (0)171 938 8921 [Direct Line]; Fax: +44 (0)171 938 9158
JANET: cgh at uk.ac.nhm
INTERNET: cgh at nhm.ac.uk