BopCo is a species identification service that provides access to expertise and infrastructure necessary to identify specimens, tissues or derived products of organisms of policy concern. These include, but are not restricted to: 

• Endangered & protected species (e.g. CITES, IUCN) 
• Invasive Alien Species 
• (Agricultural) pest species 
• Human/veterinary disease and parasite vectors 
• Species of forensic interest 
• Species from the human food chain 

BopCo applies an integrative approach, involving morphology and DNA analyses, to identify biological samples, and to assess genetic relatedness or kinship. To this end, BopCo has access to fully equipped molecular laboratories, reference collections, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and Micro-CT-scanners, located at both the AfricaMuseum and the Institute of Natural Sciences. 

BopCo’s identification service is available to anyone requiring identification of biological materials of policy concern. Depending on the nature of an identification request, charges may be implemented. 

More information and contact details can be found on the BopCo website or in the BopCo flyer.  

BopCo - Species Identification Services

BopCo-flyer.pdf

Contact: 

bopco@naturalsciences.be 

Nathalie Smitz (https://www.africamuseum.be/en/staff/1416) 

Kurt Jordaens (https://www.africamuseum.be/en/staff/1173)