Highly competent native snake hosts extend the range of an introduced parasite beyond its invasive Burmese python host

• DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3153
• Publication Date: 2020-06-24T19:34:27Z
• Authors: Melissa A. Miller; John M. Kinsella; Ray W. Snow; Bryan G. Falk; Robert N. Reed; Scott M. Goetz; Frank J. Mazzotti; Craig Guyer; Christina M. Roma...
• Keywords: Python; Acanthocephala

Abstract Invasive Burmese pythons ( Python bivittatus ) have introduced a nonnative pentastomid parasite Raillietiella orientalis to southern Florida that has spilled over infect native snakes. However, the extent of spillover, regarding prevalence and intensity, is unknown. We examined snakes n = 523) invasive 1003) collected from determine degree which spillover occurring. found R. infected 13 species areas sympatry with pythons. Prevalence infection intensity were significantly higher among compared Moreover, adult female pentastomes achieved larger sizes represented greater proportion overall population in vs. pythons, indicating are more competent hosts than also regions allopatry how far spread. an snake 348 km north northernmost python. Our data show highly facilitated rapid spread this pentastome beyond range its host.