abstract |
The article
presents an analytical summary of the memories about
Academician Vadym Oleksandrovych Topachevsky, a
palaeomammalogist, whose creative path covers the
second half of the 20th century. His contribution
to the development of zoological science is highlighted
and the qualities of his character are noted. The
professor’s achievements in the field of palaeomammalogy,
biostratigraphy, and palaeoecology, as well as palaeogeography
are discussed. His role as a scientist in the formation
of a holistic scientific direction of research—palaeomammalogy—
in Ukraine and abroad is emphasized and substantiated.
This was facilitated by his many years of activity
as the director of the Institute of Zoology and
the head of the Palaeontological Museum and the
Theriological Society of Ukraine. Topachevsky substantiated
morpho-functional dependencies in evolutionary morphology
and defended the approach of Darwin’s theory. He
asserted the relationship between morphology, function,
and environment as the basis of the process of adaptation
in his writings. He is author of new taxa of insectivorans
(Lypotyphla), lagomorphs, and rodents (Rodentia).
He presented revisions of the taxonomy and systematics
of these groups, substantiated phylogenetic relationships
in separate lines of Spalacidae, Cricetidae, Ellobius,
Allophaiomys, and others. Topachevsky initiated
innovative approaches to assess the role of mammalian
assemblages in the dynamics of biocoenotic groups
over time. He substantiated their chronological
sequence depending on palaeoclimatic conditions
and the manifestation of geological processes. His
data formed the basis for the construction of the
modern biostratigraphic scheme of the late Neogene
and Pleistocene of Eastern Europe, which is successfully
used today by practicing geologists. The main milestones
of the social and personal life of the academician
are also highlighted and the importance of his work
in the formation of modern mammalogy in Ukraine
and the training of zoologists is shown. The latter
are today the basis of the Ukrainian Theriological
Society, of which he was the president for many
years. Under his leadership, palaeontological expeditions
gathered notable collections of the mammal fauna,
which are part of the National Heritage of Ukraine. |
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