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Burmese python environmental DNA data, and associated attributes, collected from ARM Loxahatchee NWR and surrounding areas, from 2014-2016

Metadata Updated: January 7, 2026

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.

Access & Use Information

Public: This dataset is intended for public access and use. License: No license information was provided. If this work was prepared by an officer or employee of the United States government as part of that person's official duties it is considered a U.S. Government Work.

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Dates

Metadata Created Date January 7, 2026
Metadata Updated Date January 7, 2026

Metadata Source

Harvested from DOI USGS DCAT-US

Additional Metadata

Resource Type Dataset
Metadata Created Date January 7, 2026
Metadata Updated Date January 7, 2026
Publisher U.S. Geological Survey
Maintainer
Identifier http://datainventory.doi.gov/id/dataset/USGS_5c6d9e5fe4b0fe48cb4020e2
Data Last Modified 2020-08-30T00:00:00Z
Category geospatial
Public Access Level public
Bureau Code 010:12
Metadata Context https://project-open-data.cio.gov/v1.1/schema/catalog.jsonld
Metadata Catalog ID https://ddi.doi.gov/usgs-data.json
Schema Version https://project-open-data.cio.gov/v1.1/schema
Catalog Describedby https://project-open-data.cio.gov/v1.1/schema/catalog.json
Harvest Object Id 8388f57d-da89-4481-b1dd-a0ed21a3fb35
Harvest Source Id 2b80d118-ab3a-48ba-bd93-996bbacefac2
Harvest Source Title DOI USGS DCAT-US
Metadata Type geospatial
Old Spatial -81.1395, 25.6411, -80.0739, 26.7403
Source Datajson Identifier True
Source Hash 049c9c7cecdeeaaefabd38ef03cfba45f39f34222fb0250021d5454bcd98784f
Source Schema Version 1.1
Spatial {"type": "Polygon", "coordinates": -81.1395, 25.6411, -81.1395, 26.7403, -80.0739, 26.7403, -80.0739, 25.6411, -81.1395, 25.6411}

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