Scientists at the University of Florida have created a DNA-based environmental monitoring test that detects multiple invasive snake species simultaneously, marking a shift in how wildlife managers track and remove these harmful reptiles. The test, called tetraplex digital PCR assay, identifies DNA traces from four invasive snake species—Burmese pythons, northern African pythons, boa constrictors, and rainbow boas—in water or soil samples. The method can detect snake DNA even weeks after the reptiles have left an area. “The initial stage was designing the molecular test, which is essentially four tests in one,” explains Brian Bahder, senior author and associate professor of … Continue reading Florida’s $10M Fight Against Invasive Species: New DNA Test Tracks Four Elusive Snakes Weeks After They’re Gone