Are Species and Populations the Same Thing?
No, the species are different from the population. The differences between species and populations are given below:
| Aspect | Species | Population |
| Definition | A group of organisms that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring. | A group of organisms of the same species living in a specific area. |
| Genetic Diversity | Includes all genetic variations within the species. | Genetic variations present within the specific group in an area. |
| Geographical Range | Can be spread across multiple regions globally. | Restricted to a specific location or habitat. |
| Interaction | Members can interbreed if they come into contact. | Members regularly interact and breed within the group. |
| Size | Larger and more inclusive, including many populations. | Smaller and specific to a particular area. |
| Example | All lions (Panthera leo) worldwide. | Lions in the Serengeti National Park. |
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Are Species and Populations the Same Thing?
No, species and populations are not the same thing. A species is a group of organisms, either unicellular or multicellular, that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring. Members of a species share similar characteristics and genetic makeup. On the other hand, a population is a group of organisms of the same species that live in a particular area at the same time.
While individuals within a population share the same characteristics, a species can include multiple populations spread across different regions. Populations are subsets of a species and can vary in size, but a species includes all the populations of that organism.