The hierarchical structure (HS) is shown to be a common feature for all vertebrates. The HS characteristics of the population are related to the species taxonomic position, species ecology, and specific local conditions in particular parts of the species area. The primary consequence of the population HS is an increase of its stability under deteriorating environmental conditions. The HS of the population also affects the transformation of genetic variability under unfluence of the natural selection. Consolidated adaptive gene complexes form at the lower levels of the population HS due to small number of individuals. Spreading to the upper levels of HS, these complexes undergo the multistep transformation controlled by the natural selection. The next consequence of the HS existence is the partial isolation of gene complexed of different HS levels providing the possibility of divergence at any hierarchical level.
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