Diploid and haploid chromosome numbers are usually constant within a species. Meiosis conserves chromosome number across generations, while differences in chromosome number can prevent fertile hybrids, as in mules.
The Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) is a critically endangered species that has declined in numbers by 80 % since 2000 . It inhabits both forest and grassland, where it uses long, powerful claws to open ant and termite nests and ingests the insects using a long, sticky tongue.
The Chinese pangolin, Manis pentadactyla, has a diploid chromosome number of 40.
State how many chromosomes there would be in gametes of this species.
Sex is determined in the same way in pangolins as in humans. State how many autosomes there are in somatic cells of M. pentadactyla.