The species concept used by non-scientists and small children, emphasizing individuals that can interbreed and produce fertile offspring, is the Biological Species Concept.
The Biological Species Concept, often employed by non-scientists and even children when observing organisms in natural settings, defines a species as a group of individuals capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. This concept is rooted in the idea that for organisms to be considered members of the same species, they must share the potential for gene flow through successful reproduction. If individuals can mate and their offspring are viable and fertile, they are deemed to belong to the same biological species.
In practical terms, this concept aligns with how people often categorize and identify organisms based on observable features and behaviors. When non-scientists encounter animals or plants in a natural environment, the ability of these organisms to mate and produce viable offspring is a key criterion for considering them as belonging to the same species.
While the Biological Species Concept has its limitations, especially when dealing with asexual reproduction or species that do not overlap geographically, it serves as an accessible and intuitive way for individuals, including children, to conceptualize and identify different species in the world around them.