Somatic cells of the horse (Equus caballus) have 32 pairs of chromosomes, whereas the cells of the donkey (Equus asinus) have 31 pairs of chromosomes. How many chromosomes would be expected in the somatic cells of a hybrid mule? Explain your answer.

63 chromosomes.

Explanation:

Mules are produced by the breeding between the female horse and male donkey. Mule is a sterile animal that are used to carry heavy loads at the hilly areas.

Mule gets 32 chromosome from the female horse and 31 chromosome from the donkey. Mule has total 63 chromosome as horse has total 64 chromosome and donkey has 62 chromosome and half chromosome from the father and mother is inherited in the offspring.

Thus, the answer is 63 chromosome.