Chromosomal rearrangements in rock wallabies, Petrogale (Marsupialia: Macropodidae). VI. Determination of the plesiomorphic karyotype: G-banding comparison of Thylogale with Petrogale persephone, P. xanthopus, and P. l. lateralis.

G-banding has demonstrated the presence of a conserved (2n = 22) chromosome complement in the macropod genus Thylogale and in some Petrogale species. This plesiomorphic karyotype consists of acrocentric chromosomes 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10; submetacentric chromosomes 3 and 4; and a metacentric chromosome 7. It should now be possible to relate the G-banding patterns of all other Petrogale species to this plesiomorphic complement and thereby determine the number and types of changes that have occurred during the course of chromosome evolution in Petrogale. It is hypothesised that this 2n = 22 complement is plesiomorphic for all macropodids.