[From many - one.]

“Same number of chromosomes, same species.”

Won’t work because chromosomes are not the same as each other. It’s like saying “the same number of coins equals the same amount of money”

Also, two wildly different organisms (say a plant and an animal) can have the same number of chromosomes.

And, just to make things confusing, it is even possible to have differing numbers of chromosomes in one species.

[brytlea]

I have to admit I didn’t know that. Can you give me some examples?
susie

[brytlea]

Interesting, I did my own research, and you’re exactly right. Of course I used Wikipedia, they had a list of various chromosome counts for different critters and plants, and a number of things have the same number of chromosomes. So, there goes THAT idea out the window! I learn more interesting info on FR!
susie