Chromosome morphology in Gilbert's potoroo, Potorous gilbertii (Marsupialia : Potoroidae)

Abstract

Chromosome morphology was examined for male and female Gilbert’s potoroo, Potorous gilbertii, to infer taxonomic and evolutionary relationships among the extant taxa within the genus Potorous. P. gilbertii has the same number of chromosomes as P. tridactylus, 2n = 12,13. Giemsa-banding patterns were very similar in P. gilbertii and P. tridactylus; however, differences were noted between the sex chromosomes. Given that the relationships among extant Potorous are unresolved, we mapped karyotypes onto two alternative phylogenies to suggest methods of karyotype evolution within this group. Karyotypes and molecular-based information from the now ‘presumed extinct’ P. platyops or sequencing of multiple gene regions for phylogenetic analysis within the Potoroidae would provide valuable information for resolving the issue of rooting, and hence drawing conclusions on the evolution of karyotypes within this group.