Pittman Shannon E, Bartoszek Ian A
College of Arts and Sciences, Athens State University, S 303 C, Waters Hall, Athens, Alabama, 35611, USA.
Biology Department, Davidson College, Davidson, NC, USA.
BMC Zool. 2021 Dec 8;6(1):33. doi: 10.1186/s40850-021-00098-2.
Dispersal behavior is a critical component of invasive species dynamics, impacting both spatial spread and population density. In South Florida, Burmese pythons (Python bivittatus) are an invasive species that disrupt ecosystems and have the potential to expand their range northward. Control of python populations is limited by a lack of information on movement behavior and vital rates, especially within the younger age classes. We radio-tracked 28 Burmese pythons from hatching until natural mortality for approximately 3 years. Pythons were chosen from 4 clutches deposited by adult females in 4 different habitats: forested wetland, urban interface, upland pine, and agricultural interface.
Known-fate survival estimate was 35.7% (95% CI = 18% - 53%) in the first 6 months, and only 2 snakes survived 3 years post hatching. Snakes moving through 'natural' habitats had higher survival than snakes dispersing through 'modified' habitats in the first 6- months post-hatching. Predation was the most common source of mortality. Snakes from the agricultural interface utilized canals and displayed the largest net movements.
Our results suggest that pythons may have lower survival if clutches are deposited in or near urbanized areas. Alternatively, juvenile pythons could quickly disperse to new locations by utilizing canals that facilitate linear movement. This study provides critical information about behavioral and life history characteristics of juvenile Burmese pythons that will inform management practices.
扩散行为是入侵物种动态的关键组成部分，影响着空间传播和种群密度。在南佛罗里达州，缅甸蟒（Python bivittatus）是一种入侵物种，会破坏生态系统，并有可能向北扩大其分布范围。由于缺乏关于移动行为和生命率的信息，特别是在较年轻的年龄组中，对蟒蛇种群的控制受到限制。我们对28条缅甸蟒进行了无线电追踪，从孵化到自然死亡，历时约3年。蟒蛇选自成年雌性在4种不同栖息地产下的4窝卵：森林湿地、城市边缘、高地松林和农业边缘。
已知命运的生存估计在前6个月为35.7%（95%置信区间=18%-53%），孵化后3年只有2条蛇存活。在孵化后的前6个月，穿过“自然”栖息地的蛇比穿过“改造”栖息地的蛇存活率更高。捕食是最常见的死亡原因。来自农业边缘的蛇利用运河，移动距离最大。
我们的结果表明，如果卵产在城市化地区或附近，蟒蛇的存活率可能较低。或者，幼年蟒蛇可以通过利用便于直线移动的运河迅速扩散到新的地点。这项研究提供了关于幼年缅甸蟒行为和生活史特征的关键信息，将为管理实践提供参考。
