Dominates species in Peruvian capital, perhaps (8)
I believe the answer is:
eclipses
'dominates' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both to do with fundamental existence as well as being verbs in their -s form.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I don't see?
I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for eclipses that I've seen before include "Overshadows" , "Temporary disappearances of a heavenly body" , "that are regularly over our heads" , "Blockings of light from one celestial body by another" , "Makes obscure" .)