Iniencephaly is an uncommon neural tube defect, having retroflexion of the head without a neck and severe distortion of the spine. Iniencephaly is classified into two groups, iniencephaly apertus (with encephalocele) and iniencephaly clausus (without encephalocele). Incidence ranges from 0.1 to 10 in 10.000 pregnancies and it is seen more frequently in girls. Most of the fetuses with this defec...

Size, density and distribution of the brown garden snail (Cantareus aspersus) were observed relative to cover at a coastal reserve on the North Island, New Zealand. Cover variables depended on vegetation height and available debris (rubbish, wood, cow dung). Air temperature, ground temperature, and relative humidity were recorded continuously during the field survey for the various cover types....

Sexual selection favors strategies that enhance the fertilization chances of sperm donors, and sexual conflict can ensue when these adaptations negatively affect sperm recipients (Arnqvist and Rowe 2005). Such conflict often causes counteradaptive coevolution that can result in bizarre mating behaviors in separate-sex (Arnqvist and Rowe 2005) and hermaphroditic species (Michiels and Newman 1998...

Biotin-binding proteins (BBPs), such as avidin and streptavidin, represent potent insect control compounds which could be delivered via transgenic plants. The effects of BBPs on some pasture pests were determined. Black field cricket nymphs (Teleogryllus commodus) had significantly reduced growth and survival when fed on lettuce leaves painted with purified avidin. Adult clover root weevils (Si...

Insect resistant Bt-maize (MON 810) expresses active Cry1Ab endotoxin derived from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). Snails constitute non-target soil species potentially exposed to Bt-toxin through consumption of plant material and soil in fields where transgenic plants have been grown. We studied the effect of the Cry1Ab toxin on survival, growth and egg hatchability of the snail Cantareus aspersu...