History of Science and Engineering Annotation << Back Investigations in the Field of Evolutionary Genetics in the Institute of Biology and Soil Science A.P. Kryukov The Laboratory of Evolutionary Zoology and Genetics was established in 1971 by the prominent Russian zoologist and evolutionist professor Nikolai Vorontsov. The Laboratory is engaged in genetic studies aimed to understand mechanisms and ways of speciation, diversification and hybridization of populations by using samples of certain extant mammal and bird species. Various fields of animal studies, such as classical zoology, cytogenetics, biochemical and molecular genetics are included in research activities. The systematics of taxa under investigation is revised according to phylogenetic reconstructions deduced from the analyses. In recent times molecular phylogeography became the leading direction. It was approved that the South of the Russian Far East serves as a region of high genetic variation and might be a hotspot in the process of speciation. The laboratory is highly appreciated in the scientific world, and has good potentials. Key words: speciation; microevolution; population; karyotype; DNA; mammals; birds. Contacts: E-mail: kryukov@ibss.dvo.ru Pp. 46-49.