The Chromosomes of Tarsipes spencerae Gray (Marsupialia)

Abstract

Tarsipes spencerae Gray (Marsupialia) has a chromosome complement of 2n = 24 (XX, XY). The chromosomes possess two unusual features. They have both autosomal and sex chromosome sites which are responsive to silver staining (nucleolar organizers), a feature previously found only in the Phalangeroidea, and all autosomes and the X chromosome show pronounced Hoechst 33258 sensitivity, a feature previously found only in the Macropodidae.