Is it possible to set up an Exemplar List

When you say “normal List”, what do you mean? Maybe you mean the life list.

Yes, sorry–I meant life lists in general (not just your “all life” life list).

it autoselects observations. I want to select my own observations - some have better photos than others.
Also, if I have two different species in the same genus but they are not identified to species, I’d want to show them both as separate entries even though they’ve not been identified yet.

I think it chooses the most recent observation and combines observations of the same taxon, right. So it’s not ideal for you.

I’m considering adding an examplar tag. Then I can use a filter to select those with the examplar tag.

This sounds like the best solution for your use case.

Is this a bug with the life list?

probably–they’re pretty buggy.