conspecifics

Conspecifics are individuals belonging to the same species, meaning they are members of the same kind of animal, plant, or other organism. For example, all dogs are conspecifics because they are all part of the species *Canis lupus familiaris*. This term is used in biology to describe relationships, interactions, or behaviors among members of the same species. Studying conspecifics helps scientists understand social structures, communication, competition, and cooperation within a species. Essentially, conspecifics are to a species what classmates or teammates are within a group—members of the same group or type.