Invasive Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus) have been reproducing in the Florida Everglades since the 1980s. Introduction of the species was either due to unintentional escapes or intentional releases from snakes obtained through the commercial pet trade. Burmese pythons have caused a precipitous decline in small mammal populations in south Florida. To better understand the invasive population, two mitochondrial loci (mtDNA; 1398 bps) were sequenced on 426 snakes and 22 microsatellites were genotyped on 389 snakes. Concatenated cytochrome b and cytochrome oxidase 1 mtDNA sequences produced six haplotypes with a nucleotide and haplotype diversity of π=0.002 and h=0.097, respectively. The dominant haplotype was highly divergent from the second most frequent haplotype (π =0.0388). The average number of microsatellite alleles and expected heterozygosity were NA = 5.50 and HE = 0.60, respectively. Nuclear Bayesian assignment tests supported two genetically distinct groups and an admixed group. The effective population size was lower than expected for a population of this size (Ne =315.1), but reflective of the overall low genetic diversity. Patterns for genetic diversity between mtDNA and microsatellites were disparate, indicating nuclear introgression of separate mtDNA stocks due to interbreeding among sympatric populations/stocks of P. bivittatus. Alternatively, hybridization between P. molurus and P. bivittatus may have occurred in native or captive populations. The introgression may have occurred in the native range, breeding of disparate stocks in the pet trade, or in the invasive habitat. The invasive Florida Burmese python sequences were similar to the published sequences identified as P. bivittatus and P. molurus, however the nuclear diversity was nearly half of that reported in wild populations sampled within the native range.

This dataset contains morphometric information from Burmese pythons collected from an invasive population in southern Florida between 1995-2021. Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Park Service curated this dataset as a repository for records of Burmese pythons found on or nearby federal lands in southern Florida, including Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve, Biscayne National Park, and Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge. As such, numerous entities actively or incidentally involved in python research or management activities contributed specimens and/or data to this dataset, including but not limited to the U.S. Geological Survey, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, University of Florida, Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, South Florida Water Management District, volunteers, and members of the public. The dataset includes python identification information, capture information, morphometric data, and necropsy data. The structure of the dataset is such that every row pertains to a single date that data were collected from a single python so that serial captures and morphological data collected from unique individuals can be tracked across time via different rows.

This dataset contains morphometric information from Burmese pythons collected from an invasive population in southern Florida between 1995-2021. Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Park Service curated this dataset as a repository for records of Burmese pythons found on or nearby federal lands in southern Florida, including Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve, Biscayne National Park, and Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge. As such, numerous entities actively or incidentally involved in python research or management activities contributed specimens and/or data to this dataset, including but not limited to the U.S. Geological Survey, National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, University of Florida, Conservancy of Southwest Florida, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, South Florida Water Management District, volunteers, and members of the public. The dataset includes python identification information, capture information, morphometric data, and necropsy data. The structure of the dataset is such that every row pertains to a single date that data were collected from a single python so that serial captures and morphological data collected from unique individuals can be tracked across time via different rows.

Burmese pythons are an invasive species in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem. Burmese pythons captured in the ecosystem are euthanized, and in an effort to learn about this invasive species, all euthanized pythons are necropsied, during which time samples are collected. We analyzed the stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen in muscle samples from 423 Burmese pythons euthanized and necropsied between 2003-05-01 and 2012-09-02, and after processing and QA/QC, we were left with isotope ratios for 412 samples, which we reported here. We used these data to estimate the size of the isotopic niche of the Burmese python, commonly measured using standard ellipse areas, or SEAs. To put these SEAs in context, we conducted a thorough literature review to find published sizes of other isotopic niches, beginning in 2017-01 and finalized on 2018-06-12. We reported the papers we found during this literature review here. We then reviewed each paper and recorded any SEAs presented in the paper or its supporting information, and we presented those results here.

Burmese pythons are an invasive species in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem. Burmese pythons captured in the ecosystem are euthanized, and in an effort to learn about this invasive species, all euthanized pythons are necropsied, during which time samples are collected. We analyzed the stable isotope ratios of carbon and nitrogen in muscle samples from 423 Burmese pythons euthanized and necropsied between 2003-05-01 and 2012-09-02, and after processing and QA/QC, we were left with isotope ratios for 412 samples, which we reported here. We used these data to estimate the size of the isotopic niche of the Burmese python, commonly measured using standard ellipse areas, or SEAs. To put these SEAs in context, we conducted a thorough literature review to find published sizes of other isotopic niches, beginning in 2017-01 and finalized on 2018-06-12. We reported the papers we found during this literature review here. We then reviewed each paper and recorded any SEAs presented in the paper or its supporting information, and we presented those results here.

Environmental DNA (eDNA) water samples were collected at 15 tree islands containing wading bird breeding colonies (order Pelecaniformes) and 15 empty control islands in the central Everglades of Florida in spring of 2017 (April through June) and analyzed for the presence of eDNA from invasive Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus). The Burmese python is now established as a breeding population throughout south Florida, USA. Pythons can consume large quantities of prey and may be a particular threat to wading bird breeding colonies in the Everglades. To quantify python occupancy rates at tree islands where wading birds breed, we utilized environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis—a genetic tool which detects shed DNA in water samples and provides high detection probabilities compared to traditional survey methods. We fitted multi-scale Bayesian occupancy models to test the prediction that Burmese pythons occupy islands with wading bird colonies in the central Everglades at higher rates compared to representative control islands in the same region containing no breeding birds.

Environmental DNA (eDNA) water samples were collected at 15 tree islands containing wading bird breeding colonies (order Pelecaniformes) and 15 empty control islands in the central Everglades of Florida in spring of 2017 (April through June) and analyzed for the presence of eDNA from invasive Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus). The Burmese python is now established as a breeding population throughout south Florida, USA. Pythons can consume large quantities of prey and may be a particular threat to wading bird breeding colonies in the Everglades. To quantify python occupancy rates at tree islands where wading birds breed, we utilized environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis—a genetic tool which detects shed DNA in water samples and provides high detection probabilities compared to traditional survey methods. We fitted multi-scale Bayesian occupancy models to test the prediction that Burmese pythons occupy islands with wading bird colonies in the central Everglades at higher rates compared to representative control islands in the same region containing no breeding birds.

These data were collected from Burmese pythons removed from the Florida everglades as part of invasive-species management. After euthanasia, we sexed (male or female) and measured the snout-vent length (SVL; cm) and total body mass (g) for each python. We also measured total fat mass (g) by removing all visible fat bodies from the coelomic cavity and weighing this mass. For a subset of specimens, we recorded whether the pythons were put on ice after euthanasia and measured within 24 hours ('fresh') or whether the pythons were frozen after euthanasia, thawed, and then measured ('frozen'). These data were used to validate several body condition indices in Burmese pythons.

These data were collected from Burmese pythons removed from the Florida everglades as part of invasive-species management. After euthanasia, we sexed (male or female) and measured the snout-vent length (SVL; cm) and total body mass (g) for each python. We also measured total fat mass (g) by removing all visible fat bodies from the coelomic cavity and weighing this mass. For a subset of specimens, we recorded whether the pythons were put on ice after euthanasia and measured within 24 hours ('fresh') or whether the pythons were frozen after euthanasia, thawed, and then measured ('frozen'). These data were used to validate several body condition indices in Burmese pythons.

Entire photo-documented sequence from 01 June 2021–09 September 2021, including novel interactions between intraguild predators in southern Florida – the native bobcat (Lynx rufus) and the invasive Burmese python (Python bivittatus). A bobcat depredated an unguarded Burmese python nest and subsequently the python exhibited nest defense behavior following the return of both animals to the nest. First, a bobcat discovers an unguarded nest then proceeds to depredate, cache, and uncover the eggs over several days. The bobcat returns to find the female python back on the nest and later proceeds to swipe at the snake. After biologists attempted to the nest but leave the camera, the bobcat returns to scavenge discarded, inviable eggs over several weeks. This is the first documentation of any animal in Florida preying on python eggs, and the first evidence or description of such antagonistic interactions at a python nest. Photos were captured by U.S. Geological Survey equipment in Big Cypress National Preserve within the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, Florida USA.