CONSTRUCTION OF EFFICIENT IDENTIFICATION SCHEMES USING BATCHES OF DISCRETE-VALUED TESTS

Well established methods are available for identifying a specimen from a known set of taxa by applying either a single set of tests, or a hi erarchical sequence of single tests. These are relevant respectively w hen the cost of the tests or the time required for identification is m ost important. Often, however, a mixed strategy is required which aims to reduce the cost of identification while avoiding taking too much t ime. Methods are derived for constructing efficient identification sch emes which involve the sequential use of batches of tests. Also, the s pecial case is considered where an initial batch of tests is used, fol lowed by a second batch whose composition depends on the results obser ved for the initial batch.