In conclusion, our results indicate that there is limited genetic differentiation among populations

of Python molurus bivittatus in Everglades National Park, suggesting that the Burmese python

populations are not genetically differentiated, with the exception of the outliers noted above,

which may represent independent introductions. This lack of genetic differentiation could be the

result of a freely interbreeding panmictic population, or alternatively, isolated populations

separately introduced from a genetically uniform captive-bred source population. Further studies

of genetic variation among native range Burmese pythons as well as those in the reptile trade

could further clarify provenance and genetic heritage of the ENP pythons. Additional

investigations should also include samples from pythons now occurring throughout South

Florida on the periphery of the “core” distribution as described in this report.

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