What term is used for species that the US Fish and Wildlife Service believes meet the criteria for threatened or endangered status?

The term "candidates" refers to species that the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) recognizes as potentially qualifying for listing as either threatened or endangered under the Endangered Species Act. Candidates are species that have been identified through various assessments as needing protection, yet they have not yet been officially listed. This status alerts conservationists and the public to the species’ potential risks and the need for conservation action, while also prioritizing resources for the most at-risk species.

The other terms provided do not accurately capture the specific designation that the USFWS uses for species under consideration for endangered status. "Potentially endangered" and "potentially threatened" are not formal classifications used by the USFWS. "Eligible" is a broader term that does not specifically denote the recognized status of species that have undergone the candidate assessment process. Therefore, "candidates" remains the correct choice, as it specifically denotes species that are presently under review for federal protection.