The INTERCEPT-project seeks to propose a robust framework for the long-term monitoring of (exotic) animal product imports into Belgium, highlighting the legal and illegal aspects of the trade and its implications for public and animal health. INTERCEPT aims to move towards a centralised database by integrating data from various federal services and agencies to gain a better overview of the trade and to promote the dissemination of crucial information among federal services, agencies, and stakeholders. The project also aims to introduce a secure and efficient sampling method for officials, along with a laboratory species identification pipeline by researchers, which will enable rapid DNA-based identification of illegally imported meat. During the project, meat intercepted from passengers luggage at Brussels Airport is sampled, identified using DNA barcoding and screened for pathogens. At present, 424 specimens have been sampled, of which 315 have been identified so far. About 40% were derived from non-domesticated species, including meat from 10 CITES-listed species. Among the seized wild meat samples, greater cane rat (Thryonomys swinderianus) and African brush-tailed porcupine (Atherurus africanus) were predominant. Six specimens (5%) were misidentified as domestic meat upon seizure, while DNA analyses revealed a wild species. Inversely, twelve specimens (6%) were misidentified as wild meat, while DNA analyses revealed a domestic species. By fostering collaboration among scientific institutions and federal agencies, this initiative aims to inform border control measures, and will support future research into diseases carried by both domestic and exotic meat, allowing better characterisation of the health risks associated with the illegal import of meat from third countries.
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RBINS Staff Publications 2024
The INTERCEPT project maps the current situation of monitoring (exotic) animal product imports from third countries into Belgium, highlighting both the legal and illegal aspects of the trade and its implications for public and animal health. Recommendations are being drafted to move towards a more robust framework for long-term monitoring including a centralized database that integrates data from various federal services and agencies to gain a better overview of the trade and to promote the dissemination of crucial information among federal services, agencies, and stakeholders. The project also aims to introduce a secure and efficient sampling method for officials, along with a molecular species identification pipeline for researchers, which will enable rapid DNA-based identification of illegally imported meat. During this project, over 600 specimens have been sampled from intercepted meat from passenger’s luggage at Brussels Airport, of which more than 500 samples have so far been identified using DNA barcoding and screened for orthopoxviruses. Metagenomic DNA and RNA sequencing is ongoing for a selection of samples pooled per DNA-confirmed species, preparation method (raw vs. cooked), and, when possible, region of origin. By fostering collaboration among scientific institutions and federal agencies, this initiative aims to inform border control measures and will support future research into pathogens carried by both domestic and exotic meat, allowing better characterisation of the health risks associated with the illegal import of meat from third countries.
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RBINS Staff Publications 2025
The African clawed frog (Xenopus laevis) is an aquatic invasive species of amphibian imported from South Africa for medical research and aquarium pet trade. Released on purpose or by accident, an invasive spread of Xenopus laevis to natural ecosystems was registered on most continents. In the absence of natural predators, their population densities can increase quickly causing damage to local aquatic ecosystems. Using external morphology of adults and tadpoles, osteology from high-resolution microcomputed tomography, vocalization analysis and DNA sequence data, this study assessed the identity of a reproducing Belgian Xenopus population at the current northernmost edge of the distribution of the genus in Europe. Morphological analysis of adult and tadpoles confirms that the Xenopus population from Comines-Warneton belongs to the species Xenopus laevis. Genetic analysis indicates two phylogeographic lineages of South African origin invading France, one originating from northern South Africa and Rooikrantz Dam and the other originating from the southwestern Cape. Given the relative isolation of the Belgian pond, the abundance of Xenopus laevis in the pond, and the presence of tadpoles as well as subadults and large adults, it is certain that X. laevis has been present since several years. Most likely surrounding streams and ponds are also housing them and the area needs to be monitored closely in the future to prevent further spread. Citation: Pauwels, O.S.G., Brecko, J., Baeghe, D., Venderickx, J., Backeljau, T. & Vanderheyden, A. 2024. Morphological, acoustic and genetic identification of a reproducing population of the invasive African clawed frog Xenopus laevis (Anura, Pipidae) recently discovered in Belgium. Abstract 248 in: ICAIS 2024 Abstracts of Presentations. 23rd International Conference on Aquatic Invasive Species, May 12-16, Halifax, Canada.
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RBINS Staff Publications 2024
