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chew_stale_gum t1_j9fylfw wrote

Reply to comment by VT_Squire in Why can’t mules reproduce? by Imaginary_Camel4213

So at what stage does the development stop? Is there still a fertilized zygote?

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VT_Squire t1_j9g4hqs wrote

Recombination and uneven numbers of chromosomes as an impediment to viable offspring mostly makes sense in light of preventing chromosomal matching during the fertilization process. So yeah, fertilization occurs, but the resulting zygote is essentially informational garbage that fails to develop appropriately to thrive.

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