Chromosome morphology was examined for male and female Gilbert's potoroo, P
otorous 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 exta
nt Potorous are unresolved, we mapped karyotypes onto two alternative phylo
genies to suggest methods of karyotype evolution within this group. Karyoty
pes and molecular-based information from the now 'presumed extinct' P. plat
yops or sequencing of multiple gene regions for phylogenetic analysis withi
n the Potoroidae would provide valuable information for resolving the issue
of rooting, and hence drawing conclusions on the evolution of karyotypes w
ithin this group.