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<br />(species subdivided by developmental interval and size) with associated image, text, and
<br />controlling files for use with the DELTA program, Intkey (Dallwitz et al. 1993 onwards, 1995
<br />onwards, and 2000 onwards). The current version of the host program, Intkey5, runs under
<br />Microsoft Windows 95 and later Windows operating systems. A color display with at least 800 x
<br />600 pixel resolution (SVGA) is recommended and higher resolutions are preferred, but 640 x
<br />480 pixel resolution (VGA) will work (less text displayed without scrolling). The key is
<br />intended to be used along with descriptions in the 1990 guide and this supplemental update.
<br />Figures cited in the key refer to illustrations in these publications (Figs. 3-95 in Snyder and
<br />Muth 1990, Figs. 96-109 in this document).
<br />Intkey is one of the longer-standing, more highly evolved, and more widely used
<br />programs for interactive keys on personal computers (Dallwitz 1993). Use of the DELTA format
<br />(DEscriptive Language for T Axonomy-a powerful, flexible, and widely accepted method for
<br />recording descriptive taxonomic data for computer processing) and a suite of DELTA programs
<br />(Dallwitz 1980; Dallwitz and Paine 1986) to prepare the printed keys for the 1990 guide (Snyder
<br />and Muth 1990) afforded an opportunity to experiment with an earlier DOS version of Intkey.
<br />Even then, preparation of Intkey data sets was considered as an alternative to the printed keys,
<br />but conventional printed keys were deemed more appropriate for publication and general use.
<br />However, in 1993, it became clear that the guide and keys needed to be expanded to include
<br />longnose sucker. To facilitate easier preparation of the expanded key and future corrections,
<br />updates, and expansions, the more user-friendly and flexible interactive key was proposed as an
<br />alternative. In anticipation of this update project in 1995, a visit was made to M. Dallwitz
<br />(Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization Department of Entomology,
<br />Canberra, Australia), the senior author of Intkey and other DELTA programs, for assistance with
<br />preparation of preliminary Intkey data sets, one for each developmental interval. Through this
<br />project, those data sets were further developed and most recently combined into one covering all
<br />developmental intervals through juveniles up to 40 mm SL.
<br />Many other programs are available for interactive keys (e.g., IdentifyIt, LucID, MEKA,
<br />Navikey, ONLINE, PollyClave, andXID-Dallwitz 1996 onwards), and some may have worked as
<br />well for this project. However, after comparing features and flexibility (in part via Dallwitz
<br />2000 onwards), it was decided to stay with Intkey rather than start over with a new program and
<br />system for storing and formatting data. Also, on the condition that it is not used or distributed
<br />for financial gain, Intkey is now available free over the Internet-an important consideration for
<br />potential users ofthis key. In addition to its function as an interactive key, Intkey has a vast
<br />array of other options for information retrieval, including output of full or partial "natural-
<br />language" descriptions of, or differential comparisons among, selected taxon-items. Once
<br />installed, use of Intkey is not limited to the data set provided herein for early life stages of
<br />suckers; it can be used with a wide array of data sets for other taxa (e.g., salamanders,
<br />crustaceans, beetles, butterflies, polycheates, flowering plants, grasses, viruses) that are available
<br />as part of published guides, on CDs, or over the Internet (go to
<br />http://biodiversity.bio.uno.edu/deltal and select "data" or "references" for listed applications).
<br />
<br />Installation. - If a CD is accompanies this report, the key can be used directly from the
<br />"Delta" directory (folder) on the CD or installed on your computer's hard-drive using the
<br />compressed Intkey program (Intk32.exe) and data set (cat-ucrb.zip) distribution files on the CD.
<br />Installation of Intkey on your hard drive is required if (or when) you anticipate downloading and
<br />using future updates of this data set or using Intkey with data sets for other taxa. The "Delta"
<br />directory on the CD can be copied to and used on your hard drive (or elsewhere), but without
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