What is defined as a population in animal biology?

A population in animal biology is defined as a group of individuals from the same species living in the same area. This definition emphasizes the importance of both species identity and spatial proximity. Members of a population share genetic similarities and often interbreed, which helps maintain the genetic continuity of the species within that specific environment.

This definition also distinguishes populations from other biological concepts. For example, a community refers to multiple populations of different species living together in a shared environment, whereas a collection of genetic material does not encompass the living aspect of populations. Similarly, a group of different species living together would describe a community rather than a population since it involves multiple species rather than focusing on the interrelated individuals of a single species.