Low Chromosome Number

There are several animal species with a low chromosome number. One example is the Indian muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak), a small deer native to southern Asia. The Indian muntjac has a diploid chromosome number of only 7, which is one of the lowest known chromosome numbers among mammals.

Another example is the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus), a unique mammal native to eastern Australia. The platypus has a diploid chromosome number of 52, which is relatively low compared to other mammals of similar complexity. The low chromosome number of the platypus is thought to be a result of chromosome fusions that occurred during its evolutionary history.

There are also several plant species with low chromosome numbers, such as the buttercup (Ranunculus acris), which has a diploid chromosome number of 16, and the common wheat (Triticum aestivum), which has a diploid chromosome number of 14. These low chromosome numbers are thought to be a result of chromosomal fusions that occurred during their evolutionary history.