Explain why mule is not considered as species?

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Solution

A species is a group of similar organisms that are able to breed together and produce fertile offspring. For example, human beings, dogs, cats, etc., form distinct species.

When a horse (Equus caballus) and an ass (Equus asinus) belonging to different species interbreed, the product is a mule which is sterile, i.e incapable of reproducing.

Hence, mules are not considered as species.

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Similar questions

Which one of the following is the correct statement about the respective animal(s)?

(a) Donkey and horse should be considered one single species because they can successfully mate and produce an offspring.

(b) Donkey and horse are two different genera.

(d) Mule is neither a donkey nor a horse.

{}_{1}^{3}H

{}_{2}^{3}H

why mules cannot be considered as species ?

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