Chromosomal evolution in "lemurs". VI. Chromosomal banding studies of Galago senegalensis, Galago alleni, Galago demidovii and Euoticus elegantulus.

The karyotype of four Galagidae (Galago senegalensis, G. demidovii, G. alleni and Euoticus elegantulus) are studied and compared with the aid of various banding techniques. Many common chromosome segments were found, and it was possible to reconstruct a hypothetical ancestral karyotype for the family. It was also possible to show the relation between the chromosomes of Galagidae with those of two Lorisidae. The general scheme of chromosomal evolution of the Lorisiforms can be proposed, resulting from a common populational evolution followed by an accumulation of translocations, mostly of the Robertsonian type. Several pericentric inversions have also occurred in the trunk of the Lorisidae, emerging from this common population. Then, Galagidae have evolved, each species independently, by an accumulation of translocations, mostly Robertsonian, whereas Lorisidae have accumulated pericentric inversions prior diverging.