Director Igor A. Akimov, NAS corresponding member

Established on August 1, 1930.

The principal research lines of the Institute are:

- studies of fauna and evolution&morphological fundamentals of phylogeny and systematics of the animal world of Ukraine;

- development of theoretical principles of fauna protection and resource management, its monitoring in conditions of anthropogenic pressure;

- development of zoological fundamentals for protecting plants and animals, and improving their productivity.

Main achievements and developments:

During his research at the Institute of Zoology, I. I. Schmalhausen advanced his famous theory of stabilizing selection. Accumulation and transport of radioactive nuclides in animal organisms in Chornobyl exclusion zone has been investigated by scientists of the Institute. Approaches to the introduction and reintroduction of several animal species in this zone have also been developed. Faunistic studies of the Institute were summarized in the monographic series “Fauna of Ukraine”. 76 volumes covering various animal taxa (from protists to mammals) have been published to date.