How does the chromosome count difference between horses and zebras relate to zorse viability?
Answer
Horses (64) have a significantly higher number than zebra species (32-46 pairs), creating the foundational genetic mismatch.
The biological incompatibility stems directly from the numerical disparity in chromosomes between the parent species. Horses possess 64 chromosomes, while various zebra species exhibit chromosome numbers ranging between 32 and 46 pairs. When gametes from these two highly divergent chromosome counts combine during fertilization, the resulting zygote inherits an uneven and unpaired set of genetic material. This chromosomal irregularity is the root cause of the typical sterility observed in the resulting zorse foal, preventing the propagation of the hybrid line beyond the first generation.
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