Supernumerary Chromosomes in the Marsupial Schoinobates Volans (Kerr)

Abstract

The presence of special chromosomes which are additional to, and different from, the normal chromosomes, has been reported in many organisms, particularly in plants (Muntzing 1958). These are variously described as B chromosomes, supernumerary chromosomes, or accessory chromosomes. This communication describes the demonstration of these chromosomes in the greater glider, Schoinobates vo"lans (Kerr). We believe this to be the first report of supernumerary chromosomes in a mammal.