Gombeer, S.,  Van Bourgonie, YR.,  Meganck, K.,  Smitz, N.,  De Meyer, M. & Backeljau, T. 2016. ‘Using molecular techniques to identify organisms of policy concern: Some examples from the BopCo project’. Zoology 2016. Book of abstracts.

Conference abstract

Organisms of policy concern encompass a variety of species which may influence our health and (economic) activities including: invasive alien species, disease causing organisms, CITES protected species, agricultural pests, forensically important insects, organisms of the food chain, etc. Because of the potential harm some of these organisms may cause, rapid and accurate identifications are imperative. The Barcoding of Organisms and tissues of Policy Concern (BopCo) project, therefore, aims at providing access to the knowledge and infrastructure necessary to identify all life stages of organisms of policy concern and their derived products. These identifications may rely on “traditional” morphology-based approaches and/or DNA-based techniques like DNA barcoding. BopCo considers identification requests from a wide array of stakeholders who deal with biological materials of policy concern and who need a rapid and accurate identification. Examples of past requests include: 1) the identification of bird remains for the Belgian air force in order for them to take appropriate action to prevent crashes, 2) the molecular identification of slugs infected by a parasitic nematode for an epidemiological survey in Germany, 3) the identification of fruit fly pest species on citrus fruits, 4) the identification of a new invasive terrestrial flatworm in Belgium, and 5) the identification of dried lizard remains in imported cereals for a private company. Since a prerequisite to use DNA barcoding is the availability of comprehensive and reliable reference libraries, BopCo also actively generates reference DNA barcodes of organisms of policy concern in order to fill gaps in the barcode databases. Ongoing projects include the construction of a reference library for forensically important rove-beetles (Staphylinidae). Lastly, BopCo seeks to optimise DNA extraction and amplification techniques for samples which have been stored or treated in different manners, e.g. processed food samples. Identification requests for organisms of policy concern can be made through the BopCo website (www.bopco.myspecies.info), while taxonomic experts who wish to collaborate or lend their expertise can contact us in person or via email (bopco@naturalsciences.be).