The chromosomes and systematic position of the marsupial mole, notoryctes typhlops

Abstract

A cytological study showed that the diploid chromosome number in N. typhlops is 2n = 20. All autosomes are submetacentric and three pairs are somewhat larger than the remainder. The male is the heterogametic sex, and the unpaired chromosomes are a submetacentric one (X) about the same size as the smaller autosomes, and a small acrocentric one (Y).The cytological evidence suggests that N. typhlops is not closely related to either the Dasyuridae or Peramelidae, the marsupial families with which the Notoryctidae has been traditionally associated. The only marsupials with chromosomes resembling those of N. typhlops are some species of phalangeroids. The authors believe that N. typhlops would be better classified in a monotypic superfamily. © 1974 ASEG.