noun
identification key; taxonomic key
A tool used in biology to identify organisms by choosing between pairs of contrasting characteristics.
この検索表を使えば、見つけた昆虫の種類がわかります。
Using this identification key, you can determine the species of the insect you found.
Compound of 検索 (kensaku, 'search, lookup') and 表 (hyō, 'table, chart').