A(n) Blank is a group of individuals of the same species living in the same area that interact with each other.

The term you are looking for is "population."

A population refers to a collection of individuals of the same species that inhabit a specific geographic area and have the potential to interbreed. These individuals interact with each other in various ways, such as competing for resources, forming social structures, and engaging in reproduction. The size and density of a population can fluctuate due to factors like birth rates, death rates, immigration, and emigration. Studying populations can help ecologists understand the dynamics of species within ecosystems, the factors that influence their survival and reproduction, and the effects of environmental changes on biodiversity.