Opposing effects of mortality factors on progeny operational sex ratio may thwart adaptive manipulation of primary sex ratio.

Despite extensive research on mechanisms generating biases in sex ratios, the capacity of natural enemies to shift or further skew operational sex ratios following sex allocation and parental care remains largely unstudied in natural populations. Male cocoons of the sawfly (Hymenoptera: Diprionidae) are consistently smaller than those of females, with very little overlap, and thus, we were able to use cocoon size to sex cocoons. We studied three consecutive cohorts of in six forest stands to detect cocoon volume-associated biases in the attack of predators, pathogens, and parasitoids and examine how the combined effect of natural enemies shapes the realized operational sex ratio.

Recurrence of infantile cortical hyperostosis: a case report and review of the literature.

Objective: Also named Caffey disease, infantile cortical hyperostosis is a rare disease that usually affects children of a few weeks of age. The clinical picture is that of irritability, soft tissue swelling at various sites (mandible, clavicle, limbs) with local warmth, and pain on palpation. Radiographs demonstrate an important cortical thickening of the affected bony structures.

Molecular characterisation of a cypovirus isolated from the western spruce budworm Choristoneura occidentalis.

A novel cypovirus, assigned CoCPV, was isolated from natural populations of the western spruce budworm, Choristoneura occidentalis. The complete nucleotide sequences of genomic segments S2-S5 and S7-S10 were determined. Each segment contained a single open reading frame.

Fluctuations in density of an outbreak species drive diversity cascades in food webs.

Patterns in food-web structure have frequently been examined in static food webs, but few studies have attempted to delineate patterns that materialize in food webs under nonequilibrium conditions. Here, using one of nature's classical nonequilibrium systems as the food-web database, we test the major assumptions of recent advances in food-web theory. We show that a complex web of interactions between insect herbivores and their natural enemies displays significant architectural flexibility over a large fluctuation in the natural abundance of the major herbivore, the spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana).

Sequence analysis and organization of the Neodiprion abietis nucleopolyhedrovirus genome.

Of 30 baculovirus genomes that have been sequenced to date, the only nonlepidopteran baculoviruses include the dipteran Culex nigripalpus nucleopolyhedrovirus and two hymenopteran nucleopolyhedroviruses that infect the sawflies Neodiprion lecontei (NeleNPV) and Neodiprion sertifer (NeseNPV). This study provides a complete sequence and genome analysis of the nucleopolyhedrovirus that infects the balsam fir sawfly Neodiprion abietis (Hymenoptera, Symphyta, Diprionidae). The N.

Herniation of a calcified cervical disc into the foramen transversarium in an 8-year-old child.

Study Design: Herniation of a calcified C3-C4 disc into the left foramen transversarium in a child is reported.

Objective: To discuss the natural history and management of a calcified disc herniation into the foramen transversarium.

Summary Of Background Data: Cervical disc calcification in children usually follows a benign course.