Here's a breakdown of what a genus is:
* Higher than species: A genus is a broader category than a species.
* Common ancestor: All species within a genus share a common ancestor, meaning they are more closely related to each other than to species in other genera.
* Shared characteristics: Species within a genus typically share a number of important characteristics, often related to their morphology, physiology, or genetic makeup.
* Example: The genus *Canis* includes species like the dog (*Canis lupus familiaris*), wolf (*Canis lupus*), coyote (*Canis latrans*), and jackal (*Canis aureus*).
The genus is a key component of the hierarchical classification system used by biologists to organize and understand the diversity of life on Earth.