What term is used for a species that no longer has any known living individuals?

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The term for a species that no longer has any known living individuals is extinction. When a species becomes extinct, it means that all members of that species have died out and there are no remaining individuals capable of reproduction. This can happen due to various factors including habitat loss, changes in environmental conditions, introduction of invasive species, or human activities. Understanding extinction is crucial in ecology as it has significant impacts on biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, and the overall health of the environment.

In contrast, endangerment refers to species that are at risk of extinction but still have some living individuals. Overpopulation pertains to a scenario where a species' population exceeds the carrying capacity of its environment, leading to resource depletion. Depletion refers to the reduction of a particular resource, which can affect populations but does not specifically indicate the absence of all individuals of a species. Hence, extinction accurately describes the complete loss of a species from the planet.

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