Final answer:
The model of species selection is akin to natural selection wherein species are comparable to individuals, and speciation is similar to reproduction. The analogous relationship is because speciation allows for advantageous genetic traits to be passed on, much like individuals do within a population.
Step-by-step explanation:
The model of species selection is analogous to natural selection. In this analogy, species are like individuals within a population, and speciation is analogous to reproduction. Therefore, the correct answer to the question is A. species; speciation. This is because just as individuals reproduce and pass on their genetic material, species can give rise to new species through the process of speciation, where new genetic combinations can proliferate if they are advantageous.
Both artificial selection and natural selection are forms of differential reproduction of organisms based on favored traits. Artificial selection is guided by human preference, resulting in desired traits being propagated, while natural selection is the result of environmental pressures that make certain traits more advantageous for survival and reproduction.