What genetic incompatibility almost always renders the zonkey sterile?
Answer
Inheriting an odd number of chromosomes
The sterility observed in zonkeys is a direct consequence of the underlying genetic mismatch between the parent species, which both belong to the Equus genus but possess different chromosome counts (e.g., Plains zebra at 44, domestic donkey at 62). The resulting hybrid inherits a mixed, critically, an odd number of chromosomes, such as 53 in an example given. This chromosomal mismatch creates an incompatibility that prevents successful reproduction.
Related Questions
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