Uspehi sovremennoj biologii

The reproductive criteria of multicellularity are proposed for the first time. Terminologically the multicellularity is advised to subdivide into three variants: 1) protonemal – the most primitive, known in multicellular prokaryotes, in majority groups of multicellular algae and in gametophytes of some embryophyte plants; 2) siphonoseptal, distributed amongst multicellular fungi, some groups of green and yellow-green algae; 3) embryogenic, the most complicated, characteristic of all animals (Metazoa), sporophytes and some gametophytes of embryophyte plants, charophyte algae (Charophyceae s.s.), oogamous genera of green and brown algae, some genera of red algae. In addition to well-known subdivision of the reproduction into sexual and asexual variants, it is advised to consider monocitic (appearance of the new organism from one cell in course of sexual or asexual reproduction) and polycitic (fragmentation, longitudinal/transverse division, budding, basing on numerous cells of maternal organisms), because both these modes have different evolutional and ontogenetic origin. It is demonstrated that the internal fertilization was the original feature of reproduction in animals (Metazoa), land plants (Embryophyta), most groups of multicellular oogamous algae, in oogamous and pseudoogamous fungi. Correspondingly, in course of the sexual reproduction, viviparous development was the ancestral for animals, whereas the germination of the zygote on (or inside) maternal organism was the ancestral for Embryophyta and most oogamous algae.

The article analyzes and summarizes the literary and own results of studies of the properties of Brevibacillus laterosporus (Bl) as an agent of biocontrol of insects, microorganisms, invertebrates. The review provides data on the morphology and characteristics of the biological properties of Bl. New crystal-bearing strains were reported. The structural features of spores and Bl crystals identified by electron microscopy are discussed. Data on crystal formation in different bacilli are analyzed. Bl crystals have mosquitocidal activity. Data on the antimicrobial properties of Bl, including the activity of Bl against drug-resistant bacteria, are presented. The antimicrobial, fungicidal and cyanolytic activities of Bl strains make it possible to use them as producers of insecticides, antibiotics, bacteriocins and as environmentally friendly bacterial agents of biocontrol.

Structural and functional vital activity of each animal species organically fits into the life of the biosphere. To understand their place and role, a new approach to study methods is needed. Based on many years of research (1975–2022) on the ecology and behavior of the wolf, an attempt was made to understand the features of the structural and functional hierarchy of the life strategy of this species. Shown with argumentation: the strategy of the Individual is to adapt to living in the environment; the couple’s strategy is to form a habitat and fit into the general structure of the population; the Family’s strategy is to raise and educate wolf cubs; Population strategy — to preserve genetic diversity, fixed adaptations and sustainability in the environment; the strategy of the Species is to preserve the habitat; strategy in the Community (biocenosis) — participation in the conservation and formation of certain species biodiversity; strategy in the Ecosystem (biogeocoenosis) — participation in structural, functional and energy processes.

The article summarizes and systematizes the results of studies by Russian and foreign authors related to the population-genetic features of the main members (silver birch Betula pendula Roth, downy birch Betula pubescens Ehrh, curly (or Karelian) birch Betula pendula Roth var. carelica (Mercklin) Hämet-Ahti) of the birch genus (Betula L.) growing in the forest zone of Europe. Information is provided about forming of birch populations in the region and about its migration pathways when recolonizing the territory after the Ice Age. We demonstrate that due to certain geographic and climatic affiliations there appeared zones of hybridization between different birch species, which had an effect on the subsequent evolution of this genus. Attention is given to the role of hybridization in shaping the genetic structure of the birch population in the north-western part of continental Europe, where introgression has generated unusual genotypes and haplotypes, among which curly birch has probably become differentiated. We argue that the introgressive hybridization of species observed now and then in the birch genus may be of the main reasons for the problems with definite taxonomic identification of silver birch and downy birch. It is also remarked that curly birch, although meeting the conventional biological criteria of a species, is still regarded a variety of silver birch. Having analyzed the population-genetic features of members of the genus Betula L., the authors conclude that the species status of silver birch and downy birch should be retained in spite of the identification difficulties and that instating curly birch as a separate biological species is advisable. We emphasize the importance and relevance of studying the population-genetic features of both common and rare members of the Betula genus to enable the development of efficient methods and practices of their selective breeding and reproduction of the most valuable genotypes as a solid scientific foundation for sustainable forest management.