2007-09-04 10:01:18 · 5 answers · asked by slamdunk195946cd 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
They can physically "mate", but they would not be able to produce offspring.
I believe that is your real question.
2007-09-04 11:57:17 · answer #1 · answered by dtbrantner 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Unlike human beings and chimpanzees, who have a different number of chromosomes, gorillas and chimpanzees do have the same number of chromosomes, 24 pairs.
I read a few years ago that human spermatazoa can penetrate the sheath of a gibbon egg.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Humanzee
Since a gibbon is a far removed lesser ape, and since gorillas and chimpanzees have the same chromosome count, I suspect that gorillas and chimpanzees are interfertile, at least in a test tube.
They probably could not be convinced into mating outside of a laboratory, due to mate selection preferences in both species. But in a test tube? I'd lay good odds.
There are some morphological differences between a chimpanzee and a gorilla that could be a problem for the offspring. Gorillas have a saggital crest on the skull, to deal with the huge crushing force of their jaws. Chimpanzees do not. Chimpanzees have spinal curvature (as we do) so that they can spend some time upright. Gorillas do not.
The result might be a severely disabled individual. But it probably can be done.
2007-09-07 13:36:01 · answer #2 · answered by evolver 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Gorilla Mate
2016-12-12 11:20:06 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes they are apes and can breed.
2016-06-21 14:09:30 · answer #4 · answered by Pavlos 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no
2015-06-17 08:44:45 · answer #5 · answered by Richard S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋