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.