Appendix A - Quick Start Instructions

Step 1:  With sample in hand, go to the Overview.

Step 2:  Starting at the beginning of the Overview, look for a character, or set of characters, in your sample that matches a description leadings to a genus or Group at the right margin, i.e., work sequentially as you would do in a traditional dichotomous key.

Step 3:  Go to the appropriate Group, and again work sequentially through the character options until a match is found between your sample and a presumptive genus.

Step 4:  Note that the two letter abbreviations at the end of a descriptive line leading to a genus are Geographical Abbreviations (see Key at end of Concordance).

For perspective on:

• the Overview, and efficiency for those familiar with the system, go to Appendix B - Abbreviated Overview.
  

• which genera have taxa exhibiting a given character, go to the relevant Skeleton sub-guide.
  
  
• which Groups a given genus is found in, go to the Concordance.
  
  
• the strategies behind, and the organization of, the Guide, go to the Introduction.  Some users may find it beneficial to read the Introduction first.