Essential Site Maintenance: Authorea-powered sites will be updated circa 15:00-17:00 Eastern on Tuesday 5 November.
There should be no interruption to normal services, but please contact us at [email protected] in case you face any issues.

loading page

Development of a tetraplex digital PCR (dPCR) assay for the detection of invasive snake species in Florida, U.S.A.
  • +3
  • Melissa Miller,
  • Melody Bloch,
  • Sergio Balaguera-Reina,
  • Ericka Helmick,
  • Frank Mazzotti,
  • Brian Bahder
Melissa Miller
University of Florida
Author Profile
Melody Bloch
University of Florida
Author Profile
Sergio Balaguera-Reina
University of Florida
Author Profile
Ericka Helmick
University of Florida
Author Profile
Frank Mazzotti
University of Florida
Author Profile
Brian Bahder
University of Florida

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

Author Profile

Abstract

Florida, U.S.A. is a hotspot of biological invasions with over 500 non-native species reported. Reptiles encompass the majority of non-native wildlife with over 50 species established, many of which are sympatric and are identified as invasive due to their impacts to the environment, economy, and human health and safety. Reports of new non-native reptiles occur and many established non-native reptiles continue to expand their ranges in Florida, increasing the need for multi-taxa detection and monitoring capabilities. Invasive constrictor snakes are a primary focus of management efforts due to life history traits that favor successful establishment and dispersal in Florida as well as their impacts to native wildlife and Everglades restoration efforts. While traditional survey methods that rely on visual detections fail to reliably detect invasive constrictors, environmental DNA (eDNA) has proven to be a promising method for detection of cryptic and rare species across the landscape. To address emerging needs for multi-species detection and monitoring in Florida we developed the first tetraplex dPCR assay designed for detection of four species of invasive constrictor snakes, including Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus), northern African pythons (P. sebae), boa constrictors (Boa constrictor), and rainbow boas (Epicrates cenchria). In this tetraplex assay, no cross-amplification across species was documented. This assay serves as a valuable tool for faster and more accurate monitoring efforts of these invasive species in south Florida.
06 May 2024Submitted to Ecology and Evolution
08 May 2024Submission Checks Completed
08 May 2024Assigned to Editor
10 Jul 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
22 Jul 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
16 Aug 20241st Revision Received
20 Aug 2024Assigned to Editor
20 Aug 2024Submission Checks Completed
20 Aug 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
23 Aug 2024Reviewer(s) Assigned
30 Oct 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
31 Oct 20242nd Revision Received
04 Nov 2024Submission Checks Completed
04 Nov 2024Assigned to Editor
04 Nov 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
04 Nov 2024Editorial Decision: Accept