/ɛspɛk/ or /ɛspɛk/ possibly /ɛspɛ/ (with the stress on the first syllable)

Definitions

1. noun

A species or kind of thing, especially a wild animal or plant.

“The park rangers identified the bird as a rare espec of falcon.”

2. verb

To describe or classify something as a particular espec or type.

“The botanist especed the new plant as a unique species.”