Why are horses and donkeys considered different species even tho they can produce offices?

Horses and donkeys are considered different species because they have different numbers of chromosomes. Horses have 64 chromosomes, while donkeys have 62. This difference in chromosome number prevents them from producing fertile offspring.

When a horse and a donkey mate, they produce a mule. Mules are sterile, meaning that they cannot reproduce. This is because mules have an odd number of chromosomes (63), which makes it impossible for them to produce viable gametes (eggs or sperm).

Despite their differences, horses and donkeys are closely related. They are both members of the family Equidae, which also includes zebras. Horses and donkeys can interbreed, but their offspring are always sterile.

The difference in chromosome number between horses and donkeys is thought to have evolved relatively recently. It is believed that horses and donkeys diverged from a common ancestor around 4 million years ago. Over time, the two species accumulated genetic changes that led to the difference in chromosome number.

The difference in chromosome number between horses and donkeys is a 중요한 reproductive barrier. It prevents the two species from interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. This reproductive barrier is one of the reasons why horses and donkeys are considered different species.