When apparent competition occurs, the:

A) population of the predator species is smaller and the populations of the prey species are larger.
B) populations of predator and prey species are smaller.
C) population of the predator species is larger and the populations of the prey species are smaller.
D) populations of predator and prey species are larger.

The correct answer is:

population of the predator species is larger and the populations of the prey species are smaller. (C)

Explanation:

apparent competition occurs occurs between two species or group of organisms that do not directly compete for resources affect each other indirectly by being prey to the same predator. For example consider three species of organisms; sparrows, earthworms and beetles, where earthworms and beetles are preys of the sparrows, an increase in the population of earthworms will in the long term lead to an increase in the population of sparrows, which means that more predators will be available, leading to a decrease in the population of beetles, because more predators are available to prey on them. Also a decrease in the population of earthworms will also lead to a decrease in the population of beetles because their probability of being seen by the predators will increase leading to an increase in their killing.

Therefore in apparent competition, although it occurs between two prey species, their in an increase in the number of predators and a decrease in the population of the prey.