[An analysis of the possible routes of viral macroevolution]

A complex analysis of virus groups was carried out in order to find out possible ways of their macroevolution. The analysis was based on the detection of similar groups of viruses which could be considered to be evolutionally close. The similarity was evaluated both by a complex of virus properties (physicochemical, morphological, etc.) and using systemic analysis of means of genetic information transmission (MGIT) describing the features of replication and transmission properties. The developed systemic approach using the analysis of the MGIT system and integral differences between viruses by the totality of their properties helped to form models of virus evolution taking into account, in particular, their mono- or polyphyletic origin, more definite knowledge on pravirus(es) MGIT, etc. A monophyletic model of macroevolution of viruses was constructed.