BopCo.be
@bopco-be.bsky.social
BopCo provides on-demand species identification of organisms of policy concern, using morphology and DNA-based methods.
BopCo is jointly run by the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences and the Royal Museum for Central Africa.
BopCo is jointly run by the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences and the Royal Museum for Central Africa.
We are looking forward to presenting @bopco-be.bsky.social at the next iBOL Europe Community meeting on 26 January. Free to join!
ℹ️ iboleurope.org/community-me...
ℹ️ iboleurope.org/community-me...
The first community meeting of the year will happen on 26 January!
We'll be joined by Amber Hartman Scholz (Leibniz-Institut DSMZ), who will discuss the BBNJ Treaty, including Marine Genetic Resources & the requirements for fair & equitable sharing of benefits.
iboleurope.org/community-me...
We'll be joined by Amber Hartman Scholz (Leibniz-Institut DSMZ), who will discuss the BBNJ Treaty, including Marine Genetic Resources & the requirements for fair & equitable sharing of benefits.
iboleurope.org/community-me...
Community Meeting January 2026
The first community meeting of the year is coming soon, on 26 January, from 15:30 to 17:00 CET!
We will start the meeting with Amber Hartman Scholz (Leibniz-Institut DSMZ). With her, we will discuss ...
iboleurope.org
January 15, 2026 at 4:47 PM
We are looking forward to presenting @bopco-be.bsky.social at the next iBOL Europe Community meeting on 26 January. Free to join!
ℹ️ iboleurope.org/community-me...
ℹ️ iboleurope.org/community-me...
🚨 Hidden viruses in the wild meat trade?
BopCo contributed to a metagenomic study led by the University of Antwerp and the University of Kisangani (DRC), uncovering surprising viral diversity in the wild meat supply chain.
📄 Read the full paper by Geraerts et al.: doi.org/10.1371/jour...
BopCo contributed to a metagenomic study led by the University of Antwerp and the University of Kisangani (DRC), uncovering surprising viral diversity in the wild meat supply chain.
📄 Read the full paper by Geraerts et al.: doi.org/10.1371/jour...
January 12, 2026 at 3:29 PM
🚨 Hidden viruses in the wild meat trade?
BopCo contributed to a metagenomic study led by the University of Antwerp and the University of Kisangani (DRC), uncovering surprising viral diversity in the wild meat supply chain.
📄 Read the full paper by Geraerts et al.: doi.org/10.1371/jour...
BopCo contributed to a metagenomic study led by the University of Antwerp and the University of Kisangani (DRC), uncovering surprising viral diversity in the wild meat supply chain.
📄 Read the full paper by Geraerts et al.: doi.org/10.1371/jour...
🎄 The BopCo team wishes you happy holidays and an inspiring 2026!
As the year comes to a close, it’s time to look back on an exciting and productive 2025 for BopCo.
BopCo's 2025 in numbers 🧵👇
As the year comes to a close, it’s time to look back on an exciting and productive 2025 for BopCo.
BopCo's 2025 in numbers 🧵👇
![Happy holidays and best wishes for 2026 from the BopCo team [created with ChatGPT]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:p5i4bgztry7v2gxq3a5v5llv/bafkreictemngz2jwejrvq6te2remrimtptpiq7zu6eimexjf22l4mcbemm@jpeg)
December 23, 2025 at 6:51 PM
🎄 The BopCo team wishes you happy holidays and an inspiring 2026!
As the year comes to a close, it’s time to look back on an exciting and productive 2025 for BopCo.
BopCo's 2025 in numbers 🧵👇
As the year comes to a close, it’s time to look back on an exciting and productive 2025 for BopCo.
BopCo's 2025 in numbers 🧵👇
This month, the AfricaMuseum had the pleasure of welcoming students from Howest University of Applied Sciences, as well as from Ghent University and KU Leuven!
Bioinformatics and Laboratory Science Lab:
www.linkedin.com/company/bioi...
Bioinformatics and Laboratory Science Lab:
www.linkedin.com/company/bioi...
December 18, 2025 at 10:04 AM
This month, the AfricaMuseum had the pleasure of welcoming students from Howest University of Applied Sciences, as well as from Ghent University and KU Leuven!
Bioinformatics and Laboratory Science Lab:
www.linkedin.com/company/bioi...
Bioinformatics and Laboratory Science Lab:
www.linkedin.com/company/bioi...
🔬 First Record of Short-Tailed Whipscorpions in Belgium!🦂
Stenochrus portoricensis, a species of short-tailed whipscorpion native to Central America, was discovered in a glasshous of the Meise Botanic Garden. Despite its name, it is not a true scorpion but belongs to the arachnid order Schizomida.
Stenochrus portoricensis, a species of short-tailed whipscorpion native to Central America, was discovered in a glasshous of the Meise Botanic Garden. Despite its name, it is not a true scorpion but belongs to the arachnid order Schizomida.
December 9, 2025 at 11:40 AM
🔬 First Record of Short-Tailed Whipscorpions in Belgium!🦂
Stenochrus portoricensis, a species of short-tailed whipscorpion native to Central America, was discovered in a glasshous of the Meise Botanic Garden. Despite its name, it is not a true scorpion but belongs to the arachnid order Schizomida.
Stenochrus portoricensis, a species of short-tailed whipscorpion native to Central America, was discovered in a glasshous of the Meise Botanic Garden. Despite its name, it is not a true scorpion but belongs to the arachnid order Schizomida.
🦟 Reshaping our understanding of the urban, human-biting mosquito!
A team from Princeton University has revealed that Culex pipiens form molestus — thought to have evolved recently in cities — actually originated over 1,000 years ago in agricultural societies of the Mediterranean or Middle East.
A team from Princeton University has revealed that Culex pipiens form molestus — thought to have evolved recently in cities — actually originated over 1,000 years ago in agricultural societies of the Mediterranean or Middle East.
November 19, 2025 at 9:42 AM
🦟 Reshaping our understanding of the urban, human-biting mosquito!
A team from Princeton University has revealed that Culex pipiens form molestus — thought to have evolved recently in cities — actually originated over 1,000 years ago in agricultural societies of the Mediterranean or Middle East.
A team from Princeton University has revealed that Culex pipiens form molestus — thought to have evolved recently in cities — actually originated over 1,000 years ago in agricultural societies of the Mediterranean or Middle East.
Sand flies may be tiny, but their impact on global public health is significant. In Nepal, species within the Phlebotomus argentipes complex are recognized as the primary vectors of Leishmania, the parasite responsible for leishmaniasis.
November 14, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Sand flies may be tiny, but their impact on global public health is significant. In Nepal, species within the Phlebotomus argentipes complex are recognized as the primary vectors of Leishmania, the parasite responsible for leishmaniasis.
🔎 BopCo featured in: “Douaniers : à la frontière du risque”! We’re proud to appear in this documentary, filmed at Brussels Airport and available on RTL Play. The episodes highlight the work of customs officers — and how scientific collaboration helps protect biodiversity and public health.
Douaniers : à la frontière du risque - Saison 1 - en replay sur RTL play: rediffusion gratuite en streaming
Plongez dans l'action avec les douaniers belges ! Contrôles à l'aéroport, saisies d'armes et de stupéfiants... Découvrez leur quotidien à haut risque aux frontières de la Belgique.
www.rtlplay.be
November 12, 2025 at 12:47 PM
🔎 BopCo featured in: “Douaniers : à la frontière du risque”! We’re proud to appear in this documentary, filmed at Brussels Airport and available on RTL Play. The episodes highlight the work of customs officers — and how scientific collaboration helps protect biodiversity and public health.
🎉 Happy 10th Birthday to BopCo! 🎉
November 2025 marks 10 years of BopCo, the Belspo funded DNA Identification Service at RBINS & RMCA — and what a journey it’s been!
November 2025 marks 10 years of BopCo, the Belspo funded DNA Identification Service at RBINS & RMCA — and what a journey it’s been!
November 5, 2025 at 8:41 AM
🎉 Happy 10th Birthday to BopCo! 🎉
November 2025 marks 10 years of BopCo, the Belspo funded DNA Identification Service at RBINS & RMCA — and what a journey it’s been!
November 2025 marks 10 years of BopCo, the Belspo funded DNA Identification Service at RBINS & RMCA — and what a journey it’s been!
🐟 Fast DNA testing to protect the future of European eels
The lucrative trade of glass eels continues to raise serious concerns across Europe. While the European eel is critically endangered and protected under CITES regulations, illegal trafficking persists due to high demand, especially in Asia.
The lucrative trade of glass eels continues to raise serious concerns across Europe. While the European eel is critically endangered and protected under CITES regulations, illegal trafficking persists due to high demand, especially in Asia.
October 22, 2025 at 10:12 AM
🐟 Fast DNA testing to protect the future of European eels
The lucrative trade of glass eels continues to raise serious concerns across Europe. While the European eel is critically endangered and protected under CITES regulations, illegal trafficking persists due to high demand, especially in Asia.
The lucrative trade of glass eels continues to raise serious concerns across Europe. While the European eel is critically endangered and protected under CITES regulations, illegal trafficking persists due to high demand, especially in Asia.
Reposted by BopCo.be
We have published a new special issue on invasions in aquatic systems, which stemmed from @neobiota.bsky.social's 2024 conference in Lisbon. 🌊🇵🇹
🔗 Read all about it on the @pensoft.net blog: blog.pensoft.net/2025/10/10/n...
🔗 Read all about it on the @pensoft.net blog: blog.pensoft.net/2025/10/10/n...
New NeoBiota special issue explores invasions in aquatic systems
Following the 2024 NEOBIOTA conference on biological invasions, a new special issue of NeoBiota has been released, exploring invasions in aquatic systems.
blog.pensoft.net
October 10, 2025 at 9:24 AM
We have published a new special issue on invasions in aquatic systems, which stemmed from @neobiota.bsky.social's 2024 conference in Lisbon. 🌊🇵🇹
🔗 Read all about it on the @pensoft.net blog: blog.pensoft.net/2025/10/10/n...
🔗 Read all about it on the @pensoft.net blog: blog.pensoft.net/2025/10/10/n...
🦟 Mosquitoes on the move: what’s at stake for Belgium?
As Europe grapples with the rising threat of mosquito-borne diseases, this latest review paper takes a closer look at the growing risks right here in Belgium.
www.kaowarsom.be/documents/PD...
🧵👇
As Europe grapples with the rising threat of mosquito-borne diseases, this latest review paper takes a closer look at the growing risks right here in Belgium.
www.kaowarsom.be/documents/PD...
🧵👇
August 18, 2025 at 12:44 PM
🦟 Mosquitoes on the move: what’s at stake for Belgium?
As Europe grapples with the rising threat of mosquito-borne diseases, this latest review paper takes a closer look at the growing risks right here in Belgium.
www.kaowarsom.be/documents/PD...
🧵👇
As Europe grapples with the rising threat of mosquito-borne diseases, this latest review paper takes a closer look at the growing risks right here in Belgium.
www.kaowarsom.be/documents/PD...
🧵👇
Belgium is home to several breeders of CITES-listed birds such as parrots and birds of prey. Some of these species are notoriously difficult to breed in captivity, which has led to illegal practices in the past, such as the collection and raising of eggs or chicks taken from the wild.
🧵👇
🧵👇
![Snowy Owl_by Patrick Danforth Photography [CC BY 4.0]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:p5i4bgztry7v2gxq3a5v5llv/bafkreieslo3lutayekt53qimjidm2krb7fpyxbgv3sfg4xdeiduhq3c5bu@jpeg)
![Barn Owl_by Karen Arnold [Public Domain]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:p5i4bgztry7v2gxq3a5v5llv/bafkreib4awc7ot4b4re4vnkh3ldtpy6jzaqc7ak6rzsyvsnyxjbk4d5ytu@jpeg)
![Falco peregrinus - by Avia Venefica_Flickr [CC BY 2.0]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:p5i4bgztry7v2gxq3a5v5llv/bafkreifghmkfhx7rnwcifjvtbab2j7knlw2tmreizd3rehsou77yq4bsjm@jpeg)
July 28, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Belgium is home to several breeders of CITES-listed birds such as parrots and birds of prey. Some of these species are notoriously difficult to breed in captivity, which has led to illegal practices in the past, such as the collection and raising of eggs or chicks taken from the wild.
🧵👇
🧵👇
🌞 Feeling the summer heat? Step into the frozen world of science with us, at -80°C! ❄️
Did you know that both the AfricaMuseum and @naturalsciences-be.bsky.social house massive tissue collections stored at -80°C for molecular research?
Did you know that both the AfricaMuseum and @naturalsciences-be.bsky.social house massive tissue collections stored at -80°C for molecular research?
July 18, 2025 at 12:37 PM
🌞 Feeling the summer heat? Step into the frozen world of science with us, at -80°C! ❄️
Did you know that both the AfricaMuseum and @naturalsciences-be.bsky.social house massive tissue collections stored at -80°C for molecular research?
Did you know that both the AfricaMuseum and @naturalsciences-be.bsky.social house massive tissue collections stored at -80°C for molecular research?
Reposted by BopCo.be
Register as an ERGA member to receive:
🔹 Invitations to #ERGAPlenary meetings
🔹 Our newsletter with community updates, events, and opportunities
➡️ erga-biodiversity.eu/register
@ebpgenome.bsky.social @biogeneurope.bsky.social
🔹 Invitations to #ERGAPlenary meetings
🔹 Our newsletter with community updates, events, and opportunities
➡️ erga-biodiversity.eu/register
@ebpgenome.bsky.social @biogeneurope.bsky.social
July 18, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Register as an ERGA member to receive:
🔹 Invitations to #ERGAPlenary meetings
🔹 Our newsletter with community updates, events, and opportunities
➡️ erga-biodiversity.eu/register
@ebpgenome.bsky.social @biogeneurope.bsky.social
🔹 Invitations to #ERGAPlenary meetings
🔹 Our newsletter with community updates, events, and opportunities
➡️ erga-biodiversity.eu/register
@ebpgenome.bsky.social @biogeneurope.bsky.social
🌊 Coral Reefs & Coastal Treasures — Admire, Don't Acquire 🐚
Coral reefs and coastal habitats are some of nature’s most breathtaking wonders. Each year, millions of people go diving or visit these fragile environments, drawn by their vibrant beauty and unique biodiversity.
Coral reefs and coastal habitats are some of nature’s most breathtaking wonders. Each year, millions of people go diving or visit these fragile environments, drawn by their vibrant beauty and unique biodiversity.
![Scleractinia 2 by Gunnar Creutz [CC BY-SA 4.0]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:p5i4bgztry7v2gxq3a5v5llv/bafkreifgu56bh6q73pqzf45wxar6veovsnpbyl3k2tl2xugt4og6xsau54@jpeg)
![Scleractinia by Gunnar Creutz [CC BY-SA 4.0]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:p5i4bgztry7v2gxq3a5v5llv/bafkreidor7nzy3vycryqv4ubmmoufcaaqhsh4rhcpaqxlifihr3tf2bihu@jpeg)
![Scleractinia by Гурьева Светлана [CC BY-SA 4.0]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:p5i4bgztry7v2gxq3a5v5llv/bafkreiar2sjzvxau7mvdp5b37jjh36bbeihnedkdpotrguf63vmyqog7lq@jpeg)
June 25, 2025 at 2:57 PM
🌊 Coral Reefs & Coastal Treasures — Admire, Don't Acquire 🐚
Coral reefs and coastal habitats are some of nature’s most breathtaking wonders. Each year, millions of people go diving or visit these fragile environments, drawn by their vibrant beauty and unique biodiversity.
Coral reefs and coastal habitats are some of nature’s most breathtaking wonders. Each year, millions of people go diving or visit these fragile environments, drawn by their vibrant beauty and unique biodiversity.
🧬 BopCo is contributing to the development of a reference DNA database of valuable collection specimens!
Did you know that the @naturalsciences-be.bsky.social in Brussels holds one of the 10 largest natural science collections in the world, with approximately 38 million specimens?
Did you know that the @naturalsciences-be.bsky.social in Brussels holds one of the 10 largest natural science collections in the world, with approximately 38 million specimens?
June 17, 2025 at 1:06 PM
🧬 BopCo is contributing to the development of a reference DNA database of valuable collection specimens!
Did you know that the @naturalsciences-be.bsky.social in Brussels holds one of the 10 largest natural science collections in the world, with approximately 38 million specimens?
Did you know that the @naturalsciences-be.bsky.social in Brussels holds one of the 10 largest natural science collections in the world, with approximately 38 million specimens?
Reposted by BopCo.be
👁️ Vous pensez avoir repéré un moustique tigre ? Envoyez-nous vos photos sur SurveillanceMoustiques.be 📷 ou via notre app ! 📱
Plus d’infos 👇
surveillancemoustiques.be
Plus d’infos 👇
surveillancemoustiques.be
June 6, 2025 at 8:34 AM
👁️ Vous pensez avoir repéré un moustique tigre ? Envoyez-nous vos photos sur SurveillanceMoustiques.be 📷 ou via notre app ! 📱
Plus d’infos 👇
surveillancemoustiques.be
Plus d’infos 👇
surveillancemoustiques.be
Reposted by BopCo.be
👁️ Denk je dat je een tijgermug hebt gespot? Stuur ons je foto's door via MuggenSurveillance.be 📷 of via onze app! 📱
Meer info 👇
muggensurveillance.be
Meer info 👇
muggensurveillance.be
June 6, 2025 at 8:39 AM
👁️ Denk je dat je een tijgermug hebt gespot? Stuur ons je foto's door via MuggenSurveillance.be 📷 of via onze app! 📱
Meer info 👇
muggensurveillance.be
Meer info 👇
muggensurveillance.be
Reposted by BopCo.be
🌟 #FlatwormWatch - our Citizen Science project on non-native flatworms - was launched one year ago
🔍 We can share some results, with a boom of observations of some species 📈
youtube.com/shorts/CG-Yj...
@inbo.be @meisebotanicgarden.bsky.social @naturalsciences-be.bsky.social
🔍 We can share some results, with a boom of observations of some species 📈
youtube.com/shorts/CG-Yj...
@inbo.be @meisebotanicgarden.bsky.social @naturalsciences-be.bsky.social
FlatwormWatch - Citizen science : Platwormen in België - Les Vers plats en Belgique
YouTube video by National Scientific Secretariat on IAS - Belgium
youtube.com
June 5, 2025 at 8:16 AM
🌟 #FlatwormWatch - our Citizen Science project on non-native flatworms - was launched one year ago
🔍 We can share some results, with a boom of observations of some species 📈
youtube.com/shorts/CG-Yj...
@inbo.be @meisebotanicgarden.bsky.social @naturalsciences-be.bsky.social
🔍 We can share some results, with a boom of observations of some species 📈
youtube.com/shorts/CG-Yj...
@inbo.be @meisebotanicgarden.bsky.social @naturalsciences-be.bsky.social
Reposted by BopCo.be
From river-clogging plants to disease-carrying insects, the direct economic cost of invasive species worldwide has averaged about $35 billion a year for decades, researchers said Monday. u.afp.com/Spgn
May 26, 2025 at 3:50 PM
From river-clogging plants to disease-carrying insects, the direct economic cost of invasive species worldwide has averaged about $35 billion a year for decades, researchers said Monday. u.afp.com/Spgn
Reposted by BopCo.be
That’s why today we presented an updated list of the animal species that occur in Europe according to various taxonomic databases.
iboleurope.org/launch-of-ib...
iboleurope.org/launch-of-ib...
Launch of iBOL Europe Gap List
We are building a DNA reference library of the eukaryotic species in Europe.
The iBOL Europe community aims to accelerate the completion of a DNA barcode reference library of European species. An ess...
iboleurope.org
May 26, 2025 at 3:30 PM
That’s why today we presented an updated list of the animal species that occur in Europe according to various taxonomic databases.
iboleurope.org/launch-of-ib...
iboleurope.org/launch-of-ib...
Reposted by BopCo.be
It's Taxonomy Recognition Day! 🧡💙💚
Our partners are organising events all around Europe: 🇧🇪🇩🇪🇩🇰🇪🇸🇫🇮🇫🇷🇬🇷🇮🇹🇳🇱🇳🇴🇦🇹🇵🇹🇨🇿🇸🇪...
You can still help raise awareness about the importance of Taxonomy for Biodiversity and Natural Sciences by participating in the #NameItToSaveIt campaign! 👇
#tettriseu #taxonomy #biodiversity
Our partners are organising events all around Europe: 🇧🇪🇩🇪🇩🇰🇪🇸🇫🇮🇫🇷🇬🇷🇮🇹🇳🇱🇳🇴🇦🇹🇵🇹🇨🇿🇸🇪...
You can still help raise awareness about the importance of Taxonomy for Biodiversity and Natural Sciences by participating in the #NameItToSaveIt campaign! 👇
#tettriseu #taxonomy #biodiversity
May 23, 2025 at 7:59 AM
It's Taxonomy Recognition Day! 🧡💙💚
Our partners are organising events all around Europe: 🇧🇪🇩🇪🇩🇰🇪🇸🇫🇮🇫🇷🇬🇷🇮🇹🇳🇱🇳🇴🇦🇹🇵🇹🇨🇿🇸🇪...
You can still help raise awareness about the importance of Taxonomy for Biodiversity and Natural Sciences by participating in the #NameItToSaveIt campaign! 👇
#tettriseu #taxonomy #biodiversity
Our partners are organising events all around Europe: 🇧🇪🇩🇪🇩🇰🇪🇸🇫🇮🇫🇷🇬🇷🇮🇹🇳🇱🇳🇴🇦🇹🇵🇹🇨🇿🇸🇪...
You can still help raise awareness about the importance of Taxonomy for Biodiversity and Natural Sciences by participating in the #NameItToSaveIt campaign! 👇
#tettriseu #taxonomy #biodiversity
🙌 Two groups of talented students at @kuleuvenuniversity.bsky.social have recently supported BopCo in bringing our science closer to the public!
These group projects were part of a course on Science Communication & Outreach.
These group projects were part of a course on Science Communication & Outreach.
May 23, 2025 at 12:48 PM
🙌 Two groups of talented students at @kuleuvenuniversity.bsky.social have recently supported BopCo in bringing our science closer to the public!
These group projects were part of a course on Science Communication & Outreach.
These group projects were part of a course on Science Communication & Outreach.
🥼 BopCo, alongside researchers from the @naturalsciences-be.bsky.social, the @uantwerpen.be, and the @itmantwerp.bsky.social, had the pleasure of joining a supervised tour through the Biological laboratory of the Belgian Defence Laboratories (DLD-Bio).
BopCo - Mosquito diversity at deployment sites of armed forces
We provide DNA-based identifications to investigate mosquito diversity at foreign deployment sites of the Belgian armed forces.
www.bopco.be
May 15, 2025 at 2:00 PM
🥼 BopCo, alongside researchers from the @naturalsciences-be.bsky.social, the @uantwerpen.be, and the @itmantwerp.bsky.social, had the pleasure of joining a supervised tour through the Biological laboratory of the Belgian Defence Laboratories (DLD-Bio).