Validation of eDNA methods for managing the terrestrial invasive snake Lampropeltis californiae on the Canary Islands.

ABSTRACT: Invasive snakes are among the most challenging invaders worldwide due to their exceptionally low detection rate and grave ecological impacts. Environmental DNA (eDNA) has emerged as a promising tool to improve invasive snake detection and enhancing management programs, yet its application to terrestrial snakes remains underexplored. This study provides the first advances in the use of eDNA techniques to detect the terrestrial invasive California kingsnake (Lampropeltis californiae). We designed L. californiae-specific primers and tested their effectiveness in detecting the species in different environmental samples, including swab samples from underneath artificial cover objects (ACOs) made of different materials, soil beneath ACOs, randomly collected soil, and researchers' boots. Addition

SUBMITTER: Lopez-Gonzalez M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12018960 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature