WHAT’S BEING CLAIMED:
- Scientists have found that some of the invasive pythons that have decimated local wildlife in Florida are a mixture of two Asian species – which makes them even more formidable predators.
- A cross-breed of the Indian rock python – which is faster and thrives on high, dry ground – and the Burmese python – which is bigger and more at home in the water – could have the best traits of both species, which could result to an even more rapid distribution.
- This new species could make previously failed efforts to reduce or eliminate the number of invasive species even more impossible.
The Florida Everglades have long become a haven to invasive and toxic species that destroy and devour its flora and fauna. And now news of a hybrid super-predator – a genetically blended python – has researchers believe that the invasive reptile might be able to expand its range more rapidly than any species before it.
The species was discovered during a study by US Geological Survey (USGS) scientists to improve knowledge of non-native species. Analysis was done on 400 snakes captured in the Everglades over a 10-year period from 2001.
The researchers expected to find only the pure genetic makeup of the Burmese python, the deadly constrictor that has become the region’s apex predator, but instead, they uncovered “a tangled family tree.”
The genetic signature of the Indian rock python was found to be present in at least 13 snakes. While that species is smaller, faster, and arguably more aggressive than its big cousin, it thrives on higher and drier ground. Meanwhile, Burmese pythons are more comfortable in the water.
Margaret Hunter, a USGS research geneticist and lead author of the report, explained that when two species come together, the best of their traits are sometimes brought about in their offspring, which means that this could potentially help them adapt to the ecosystem more rapidly.
The researchers believe that the genetic markers – found only in the snakes’ mitochondrial DNA passed down through the maternal line – indicate that the cross-breeding occurred before the pythons secured their foothold in Florida.
Hunter sees the unwelcome development as another hindrance to already unsuccessful efforts to reduce or eliminate the up to 150,000 pythons that have decimated native species including rabbits, raccoons, foxes, and bobcats in the surrounding area.
She stated, “In an invasive population like Burmese pythons in south Florida this could result in a broader or more rapid distribution.”
Even wildlife officials admit that they are indeed fighting a losing battle. Previous initiatives included training dogs to sniff out snakes, and releasing pythons with radio transmitters to lead hunters to females carrying eggs.
Perhaps the boldest effort came last year when two renowned snake catchers from India’s mountain-dwelling Irula tribe bagged 33 pythons in two months. But that figure, even in addition to the more than 1,000 snakes killed to date in the Everglades in civilian hunting programmes, is only a drop in the ocean.
Source: The Guardian