Some Ectoparasites from Philippine Owls (Strigiformes: Strigidae) with Description of a New Louse Species, Kurodaia (Conciella) theresamunditae Desamero & Eduardo (Amblycera: Menoponidae) *FOR CORRESPONDENCE

ABSTRACT Two species of Philippine owls, Otus megalotis Walden, 1875 (Philippine scops-owl) and Bubo philippensis Kaup, 1851 (Philippine eagle-owl) (Strigidae), kept at the Rescue Center of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau (PAWB), Quezon City, Philippines were examined for ectoparasites during the period June 2009-February 2010. Lice and mites were found on the two species of owls. Identification of the lice specimens revealed four species, three previously known and one new to science. These were Strigiphilus heterogenitalis from Otus megalotis, Colpocephalum turbinatum from both Otus megalotis and Bubo philippensis and Strigiphilus ketupae from the latter owl species. Kurodaia (Conciella) theresamunditae Desamero & Eduardo is described and illustrated as a new species from Otus megalotis. It is characterized by having male genitalia and the associated genital sclerite different from those of the other species of the genus and subgenus to which it belongs. The mite specimens consisted of a single species identified as Dermonoton longiventer. The occurrence of S. heterogenitalis and H. ketupae on Otus megalotis and Bubo philippensis, respectively constitutes new host records for the species in the Philippines. The presence of Colpocephalum turbinatum on both owl species in this study extends the host range of the species. Dermonoton longiventer is reported for the first time in the Philippines

The Philippines stingless bee propolis promotes hair growth through activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway

Although hair loss is not a horrible disease, it sometimes reduces the patients' quality of life (QOL) and increases their mental stress. Currently, there is no effective treatment for hair loss. It is known that honeybee propolis has various biological activities, including stimulating the proliferation of hair matrix keratinocytes. However, little is known with the hair promoting activity of stingless bee propolis. Hence, this study investigates the hair growth-promoting activity of Philippines stingless bee propolis extract and the underlying a molecular mechanism of promoting hair growth. For the evaluation of hair growth stimulating activity, 99.5% ethanolic extract of Philippines stingless bee propolis is examined using the simple shaving model in C57BL/6N mice. Melaninization of dorsal skin and histological analysis of hair follicles (HFs) revealed that propolis promotes hair growth by stimulating HFs development. The expression of mRNA (Wnt3a, Ctnnb1/β-catenin, Lef1, and Bmp2) and protein (WNT3A and β-catenin) of selected Wnt/β-catenin associated genes explains Philippines stingless bee propolis promoting HFs development by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. These results suggest that the treatment of propolis strongly promotes hair growth by stimulating the development of HFs via activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. This further indicates the potential of Philippines stingless bee propolis as a novel promising agricultural product for hair growth