Environmental DNA (eDNA) detection of invasive species can be used to delimit occupied ranges and estimate probabilities to inform management decisions. Environmental DNA is shed into the environment through skin cells and bodily fluids and can be detected in water samples collected from lakes, rivers, and swamps. In south Florida, invasive Burmese pythons occupy much of the Greater Everglades in mostly inaccessible habitat and are credited with causing severe declines of native species’ populations. Detection of Burmese pythons by traditional methods, such as trapping and visual searching, have been largely ineffective, making eDNA a superior method for differentiating invaded habitat. We adapted a quantitative PCR eDNA assay for droplet digital PCR, a state-of-the-art method that improves precision and accuracy. From August 2014 to October 2016, locations in and around Arthur R. Marshall Loxahatchee National Wildlife Refuge in southeast Florida were surveyed for Burmese python eDNA. The Refuge is maintained to provide water storage and is considered one of the last remnants of the northern Everglades wetlands. Positive eDNA detections were made at each of the five sampling events, assessing a total of 399 samples, with moderate occurrence (ψ=58-91%) and detection (p=40-70%) probabilities, potentially reduced by high PCR inhibition-levels. The high occurrence rates and geographic distribution of the positive samples within the Refuge suggests a steady release of python eDNA from a resident Burmese python population and reduces support for primarily transport of eDNA through boats or flowing water from the north. The first confirmed sighting of a Burmese python in the Refuge occurred in September 2016, after eDNA testing had indicated the presence of pythons. An established population is not expected this far north, however, the detections likely indicate northern range limit of a consistent population at Loxahatchee on the eastern side of the Florida peninsula. Our study demonstrates the benefit of eDNA for determining more accurate range limits and expansion information for Burmese pythons, as well as laying the foundation for the assessment of control efforts.

Environmental DNA water samples were collected in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem between May 20-22, 2019 and analyzed to estimate Burmese python (Python bivittatus) occurrence. Twenty-eight sites were sampled in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, with 5 field replicate samples per site, for a total of 140 water samples collected. Python eDNA was detected at 25 of the 28 sampling sites using Droplet Digital PCR amplification. Data either are not available or have limited availability owing to sensitivity concerns. Contact the Wetland and Aquatic Research Center for more information.

Environmental DNA water samples were collected in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem between May 20-22, 2019 and analyzed to estimate Burmese python (Python bivittatus) occurrence. Twenty-eight sites were sampled in the Greater Everglades Ecosystem, with 5 field replicate samples per site, for a total of 140 water samples collected. Python eDNA was detected at 25 of the 28 sampling sites using Droplet Digital PCR amplification. Data either are not available or have limited availability owing to sensitivity concerns. Contact the Wetland and Aquatic Research Center for more information.

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.

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.

This dataset contains four comma-delimited files collected to evaluate the utility of GPS biologging tags for studying the spatial ecology of large constricting snakes. The first file contains the dates that five Burmese pythons were deployed for tracking in Everglades National Park, FL. The second file contains the data from each of those five python GPS tags with all of the attempted GPS fixes and their result (success or fail). The third file contains deployment dates and true locations for seven GPS test-platforms deployed in Everglades National Park to assess the effect of habitat on fix success as well as accuracy and precision of the tags in situ. The final file contains the data from each of those seven test-platform GPS tags with all of the attempted GPS fixes and their result, as well as the location the tag recorded.

This dataset contains four comma-delimited files collected to evaluate the utility of GPS biologging tags for studying the spatial ecology of large constricting snakes. The first file contains the dates that five Burmese pythons were deployed for tracking in Everglades National Park, FL. The second file contains the data from each of those five python GPS tags with all of the attempted GPS fixes and their result (success or fail). The third file contains deployment dates and true locations for seven GPS test-platforms deployed in Everglades National Park to assess the effect of habitat on fix success as well as accuracy and precision of the tags in situ. The final file contains the data from each of those seven test-platform GPS tags with all of the attempted GPS fixes and their result, as well as the location the tag recorded.

The size and sex of each of the Burmese pythons swabbed in this study for the SFD-causing (snake fungal disease) Ophidiomyces ophiodiicola pathogen is given along with the real time PCR swab result.