Studies on Metatherian Sex Chromosomes. IX. Sex Chromosomes of the Greater Glider (Marsupialia : Petauridae)

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Abstract
The greater glider, currently but incorrectly known as Schoinobates volans, is widely distributed in forested regions in easter Australia. All animals studied from 6 different localities had 20 autosomes but there were 4 chromosomally distinct populations. At Royal National Park, New South Wales, all female greater gliders studied had 22 chromosomes, inlcuding 2 large submetacentric X chromosomes with subterminal secondary constrictions in their longer arms. This form of X chromosome occurred also at Bondo State Forest Myall Lakes and Coff''s Harbor, N.S.W. and at Eidsvold, Qld [Queensland]. At Coomooboolaroo, Qld, the X chromosome was also a large submetacentric but a secondary constriction occurred in the shorter arm. Two chromosomally distinct types apparently occur in Royal National Park, 1 with XY males, as in all other populations and 1 with XY1Y2 males. Y or Y1 but not Y2 chromosomes were eliminated from the bone marrow in all populations but were present in spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes and cultured fibroblasts. Animals from Bondo State Forest had 3 or more acrocentric or metacentric supernumerary chromosomes.