Vanden Abeele, S.,  Kratz, F.,  Segers, B.,  Smitz, N.,  Vanderheyden, A.,  Jordaens, K. & Hendrickx, F. 2026. ‘BopCo: species identification, hybrid detection, and relatedness analysis in support of policy frameworks and wildlife conservation programmes’. 7th European Conservation Genetics meeting. Book of abstracts. Antwerp.

Conference abstract

DNA-based species identification, hybrid detection, and relatedness analysis provide the empirical foundation for functional wildlife conservation programmes and policy instruments (e.g., CITES). BopCo is a Belgian service that applies these molecular tools to handle on-demand requests from a broad range of stakeholders, including government agencies, research institutions and conservation organisations. BopCo is jointly operated by two Belgian Federal Scientific institutions, viz., the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences and the Royal Museum for Central Africa, and it’s work spans a wide range of policy concerns, from aiding the enforcement of CITES trade regulations to supporting ex situ breeding programmes. Recent projects illustrate this approach. First, in collaboration with Aviornis International vzw and the World Pheasant Association - Benelux, BopCo uses mitochondrial DNA sequencing combined with nuclear microsatellite profiling to identify Tragopan pheasants and detect hybridisation in captive populations. Similarly, BopCo uses this approach to study Chilean (Phoenicopterus chilensis) and American (P. ruber) flamingos at Tierpark Hagenbeck (Germany). Both flamingo species and three of the five Tragopan species are CITES-listed in Appendix II and I, respectively. Maintaining genetically pure lineages in captive populations is critical to preserve their conservation value and their potential as a source for future management planning and eventual reintroductions in the wild. Additionally, a co-ancestry matrix derived from microsatellite data further quantifies kinship among individuals, informing breeding pair selection and population management. Second, commissioned by the CITES unit at FPS Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment, BopCo performs parentage verification for CITES-listed birds of prey, owls and parrots held by Belgian breeders. By comparing the DNA profiles of offspring with those of putative parents, using feather samples collected by CITES inspectors, BopCo confirms whether birds such as the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus) and barn owl (Tyto alba) were legally bred in captivity, thereby protecting wild populations from illegal collection. More information on our identification services can be found at https://www.bopco.be/.