Westward range extension of Burmese Python Python bivittatus in and around the Ganga Basin, India: a response to changing climatic factors

Abstract

The range extension of animals is influenced by various factors, particularly environmental variables and ecological requirements. In this study, we have attempted to quantify the potential current distribution range of the Burmese Python Python bivittatus in and around the Ganga Basin. We collected the Burmese Python sightings between 2007 and 2022 from various direct and indirect sources and recorded 38 individuals, including eight females and five males; the rest were not examined for their sex. Out of these, 12 individuals were rescued from human habitations. Most python sightings were observed in Uttarakhand and Uttar Pradesh (n = 12 each), followed by Bihar (n = 6). The expanded minimum convex polygon (MCP) range was calculated as 60,534.2 km2. In addition, we quantified the potential current distribution status of this species using 19 bioclimatic variables with the help of MaxEnt software and the SDM toolbox in Arc GIS. The suitable area for the python distribution was calculated as 1,03,547 km2. We found that the following variables influenced the python distribution in the range extended landscape: Annual Mean Temperature (20.9 %), Precipitation of Wettest Quarter (6.4 %), Precipitation of Driest Quarter (30.1 %), Precipitation of Warmest Quarter (0.3%), Isothermality (0.1%), Temperature Annual Range (18.7 %), Mean Temperature of Wettest Quarter (11.4 %), Mean Temperature of Driest Quarter (2.2 %), Land use/land cover (3.3 %), and Elevation (6.6 %). These results will support the field managers in rescuing individuals from conflict areas and rehabilitating them based on the appropriate geographical region.