RESUMO
Constricting pythons, known for their ability to consume infrequent, massive meals, exhibit rapid and reversible cardiac hypertrophy following feeding. Our primary goal was to investigate how python hearts achieve this adaptive response after feeding. Isolated myofibrils increased force after feeding without changes in sarcomere ultrastructure and without increasing energy cost. Ca2+ transients were prolonged after feeding with no changes in myofibril Ca2+ sensitivity. Feeding reduced titin-based tension, resulting in decreased cardiac tissue stiffness. Feeding also reduced the activity of sirtuins, a metabolically linked class of histone deacetylases, and increased chromatin accessibility. Transcription factor enrichment analysis on transposase-accessible chromatin with sequencing revealed the prominent role of transcription factors Yin Yang1 and NRF1 in postfeeding cardiac adaptation. Gene expression also changed with the enrichment of translation and metabolism. Finally, metabolomics analysis and adenosine triphosphate production demonstrated that cardiac adaptation after feeding not only increased energy demand but also energy production. These findings have broad implications for our understanding of cardiac adaptation across species and hold promise for the development of innovative approaches to address cardiovascular diseases.
Assuntos
Boidae , Cardiomegalia , Epigênese Genética , Animais , Cardiomegalia/metabolismo , Cardiomegalia/genética , Cardiomegalia/fisiopatologia , Boidae/fisiologia , Boidae/genética , Período Pós-Prandial/fisiologia , Metabolismo Energético , Miofibrilas/metabolismo , Cálcio/metabolismo , Adaptação Fisiológica , Miocárdio/metabolismo , Reprogramação MetabólicaRESUMO
Infrared vision is a highly specialized sensory system that evolved independently in three clades of snakes. Apparently, convergent evolution occurred in the transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) proteins of infrared-sensing snakes. However, this gene can only explain how infrared signals are received, and not the transduction and processing of those signals. We sequenced the genome of Xenopeltis unicolor, a key outgroup species of pythons, and performed a genome-wide analysis of convergence between two clades of infrared-sensing snakes. Our results revealed pervasive molecular adaptation in pathways associated with neural development and other functions, with parallel selection on loci associated with trigeminal nerve structural organization. In addition, we found evidence of convergent amino acid substitutions in a set of genes, including TRPA1 and TRPM2. The analysis also identified convergent accelerated evolution in non-coding elements near 12 genes involved in facial nerve structural organization and optic nerve development. Thus, convergent evolution occurred across multiple dimensions of infrared vision in vipers and pythons, as well as amino acid substitutions, non-coding elements, genes and functions. These changes enabled independent groups of snakes to develop and use infrared vision.
Assuntos
Genômica , Raios Infravermelhos , Animais , Boidae/genética , Boidae/fisiologia , Serpentes/genética , Evolução Molecular , Visão Ocular , Evolução Biológica , FilogeniaAssuntos
Dermatoses da Mão , Humanos , Animais , Masculino , Dermatoses da Mão/patologia , Dermatoses do Pé/patologia , Boidae , FemininoRESUMO
Rotator cuff repair surgeries fail frequently, with 20 to 94% of the 600,000 repairs performed annually in the United States resulting in retearing of the rotator cuff. The most common cause of failure is sutures tearing through tendons at grasping points. To address this issue, we drew inspiration from the specialized teeth of snakes of the Pythonoidea superfamily, which grasp soft tissues without tearing. To apply this nondamaging gripping approach to the surgical repair of tendon, we developed and optimized a python tooth-inspired device as an adjunct to current rotator cuff suture repair and found that it nearly doubled repair strength. Integrated simulations, 3D printing, and ex vivo experiments revealed a relationship between tooth shape and grasping mechanics, enabling optimization of the clinically relevant device that substantially enhances rotator cuff repair by distributing stresses over the attachment footprint. This approach suggests an alternative to traditional suturing paradigms and may reduce the risk of tendon retearing after rotator cuff repair.
Assuntos
Boidae , Manguito Rotador , Animais , Manguito Rotador/cirurgia , Boidae/fisiologia , Lesões do Manguito Rotador/cirurgia , Dente , Técnicas de Sutura/instrumentação , Fenômenos Biomecânicos , Humanos , Impressão TridimensionalRESUMO
Background: Enhancing detection of cryptic snakes is critical for the development of conservation and management strategies; yet, finding methods that provide adequate detection remains challenging. Issues with detecting snakes can be particularly problematic for some species, like the invasive Burmese python (Python bivittatus) in the Florida Everglades. Methods: Using multiple survey methods, we predicted that our ability to detect pythons, larger snakes and all other snakes would be enhanced with the use of live mammalian lures (domesticated rabbits; Oryctolagus cuniculus). Specifically, we used visual surveys, python detection dogs, and time-lapse game cameras to determine if domesticated rabbits were an effective lure. Results: Time-lapse game cameras detected almost 40 times more snakes (n = 375, treatment = 245, control = 130) than visual surveys (n = 10). We recorded 21 independent detections of pythons at treatment pens (with lures) and one detection at a control pen (without lures). In addition, we found larger snakes, and all other snakes were 165% and 74% more likely to be detected at treatment pens compared to control pens, respectively. Time-lapse cameras detected almost 40 times more snakes than visual surveys; we did not detect any pythons with python detection dogs. Conclusions: Our study presents compelling evidence that the detection of snakes is improved by coupling live mammalian lures with time-lapse game cameras. Although the identification of smaller snake species was limited, this was due to pixel resolution, which could be improved by changing the camera focal length. For larger snakes with individually distinctive patterns, this method could potentially be used to identify unique individuals and thus allow researchers to estimate population dynamics.
Assuntos
Boidae , Serpentes , Imagem com Lapso de Tempo , Animais , Coelhos , Imagem com Lapso de Tempo/métodos , Florida , Cães , Fotografação/instrumentação , Fotografação/métodos , Comportamento Predatório/fisiologiaRESUMO
Snakes represent a wide and diverse group of species and have anatomical particularities, such as the renal sexual segment (RSS), a structure located in the kidneys and formed from the hypertrophy of the urinary ducts and nephrons. This study aims at describing the histological aspects of the RSS of Boa constrictor, Epicrates cenchria and Corallus hortulanus, all of which are Brazilian snake species from the Boidae family. The reproductive system and kidneys of five male specimens of E. cenchria, three male specimens of C. hortulanus and two male specimens of B. constrictor were obtained. Tissue samples were processed histologically and different stains used (Toluidine Blue, Alcian Blue and Periodic Acid Schiff). The histological evaluation of the RSS of E. cenchria, C. hortulanus and B. constrictor shows that the RSS in these species varies when comparing individuals in the reproductive period with those which are not. It also allows for the observation of the segment's secretory activity in animals in the reproductive stage (mature sperm in the lumen of the seminiferous tubules) as well as in those which are not. Finally, the histological evaluation also reveals the variation of the secretion product in individuals in the reproductive period, in those which are not, and also among individuals within the same reproductive stage.
Assuntos
Boidae , Rim , Animais , Masculino , Rim/anatomia & histologia , Brasil , Boidae/anatomia & histologia , Túbulos Seminíferos/anatomia & histologia , Espermatozoides/citologiaRESUMO
Large and stout snakes commonly consume large prey and use rectilinear crawling; yet, whether body wall distention after feeding impairs rectilinear locomotion is poorly understood. After eating large prey (30-37% body mass), all Boa constrictor tested could perform rectilinear locomotion in the region with the food bolus despite a greatly increased distance between the ribs and the ventral skin that likely lengthens muscles relevant to propulsion. Unexpectedly, out of 11 kinematic variables, only two changed significantly (P<0.05) after feeding: cyclic changes in snake height increased by more than 1.5 times and the longitudinal movements of the ventral skin relative to the skeleton decreased by more than 25%. Additionally, cyclic changes in snake width suggest that the ribs are active and mobile during rectilinear locomotion, particularly in fed snakes, but also in unfed snakes. These kinematic changes suggest that rectilinear actuators reorient more vertically and undergo smaller longitudinal excursions following large prey ingestion, both of which likely act to reduce elongation of these muscles that may otherwise experience substantial strain.
Assuntos
Boidae , Locomoção , Comportamento Predatório , Animais , Fenômenos Biomecânicos , Locomoção/fisiologia , Boidae/fisiologia , Tamanho Corporal , Ingestão de Alimentos/fisiologiaRESUMO
The evolutionary interplay between predator and prey has significantly shaped the development of snake venom, a critical adaptation for subduing prey. This arms race has spurred the diversification of the components of venom and the corresponding emergence of resistance mechanisms in the prey and predators of venomous snakes. Our study investigates the molecular basis of venom resistance in pythons, focusing on electrostatic charge repulsion as a defense against α-neurotoxins binding to the alpha-1 subunit of the postsynaptic nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. Through phylogenetic and bioactivity analyses of orthosteric site sequences from various python species, we explore the prevalence and evolution of amino acid substitutions that confer resistance by electrostatic repulsion, which initially evolved in response to predatory pressure by Naja (cobra) species (which occurs across Africa and Asia). The small African species Python regius retains the two resistance-conferring lysines (positions 189 and 191) of the ancestral Python genus, conferring resistance to sympatric Naja venoms. This differed from the giant African species Python sebae, which has secondarily lost one of these lysines, potentially due to its rapid growth out of the prey size range of sympatric Naja species. In contrast, the two Asian species Python brongersmai (small) and Python bivittatus (giant) share an identical orthosteric site, which exhibits the highest degree of resistance, attributed to three lysine residues in the orthosteric sites. One of these lysines (at orthosteric position 195) evolved in the last common ancestor of these two species, which may reflect an adaptive response to increased predation pressures from the sympatric α-neurotoxic snake-eating genus Ophiophagus (King Cobras) in Asia. All these terrestrial Python species, however, were less neurotoxin-susceptible than pythons in other genera which have evolved under different predatory pressure as: the Asian species Malayopython reticulatus which is arboreal as neonates and juveniles before rapidly reaching sizes as terrestrial adults too large for sympatric Ophiophagus species to consider as prey; and the terrestrial Australian species Aspidites melanocephalus which occupies a niche, devoid of selection pressure from α-neurotoxic predatory snakes. Our findings underline the importance of positive selection in the evolution of venom resistance and suggest a complex evolutionary history involving both conserved traits and secondary evolution. This study enhances our understanding of the molecular adaptations that enable pythons to survive in environments laden with venomous threats and offers insights into the ongoing co-evolution between venomous snakes and their prey.
Assuntos
Boidae , Eletricidade Estática , Animais , Boidae/genética , Boidae/fisiologia , Neurotoxinas/genética , Neurotoxinas/química , Filogenia , Venenos Elapídicos/genética , Venenos Elapídicos/química , Venenos Elapídicos/toxicidade , Receptores Nicotínicos/genética , Receptores Nicotínicos/metabolismo , Comportamento Predatório , Venenos de Serpentes/genética , Venenos de Serpentes/químicaRESUMO
Mark tests, in which an animal uses a mirror to locate and examine an otherwise unnoticeable mark on its own body, are commonly used to assess self-recognition, which may have implications for self-awareness. Recently, several olfactory-reliant species have appeared to pass odour-based versions of the mark test, though it has never been attempted in reptiles. We conducted an odour-based mark test on two species of snakes, Eastern gartersnakes and ball pythons, with widely divergent ecologies (i.e. terrestrial foragers that communally brumate versus semi-arboreal ambush predators that do not). We find that gartersnakes, but not ball pythons, pass the test, and a range of control tests suggest this is based on self-recognition. Gartersnakes are more social than ball pythons, supporting recent suggestions that social species are more likely to self-recognize. These results open the door to examination of the ecology of self-recognition, and suggest that this ability may evolve in response to species-specific ecological challenges, some of which may align with complexity of social structures.
Assuntos
Boidae , Animais , Comportamento Animal/fisiologia , Olfato , Odorantes , Comunicação CelularRESUMO
Different physiological performances are often optimized at slightly varying temperatures, which can lead to ectotherms selecting higher body temperatures during certain physiological efforts (e.g., digestion, reproduction). Such thermophilic responses can lead to temperature-based tradeoffs between two physiological activities with differing optimal temperatures or between optimizing a physiological activity and water balance, as water loss is elevated at higher temperatures. For example, ectotherms will often select a higher body temperature after consuming a meal, but the extent to which body temperature is elevated after eating is affected by its hydric state. Despite this known hydration state-based suppression of thermophily associated with digestion, the impact of this reduced body temperature on digestion performance is unknown. Accordingly, we determined whether small, thermophily-relevant changes in body temperature impact digestive efficiency or passage time and whether sex influenced the extent of the effect. Eighteen (9 female and 9 male) Children's pythons (Antaresia childreni) each consumed a meal at three temperatures (29 °C, 30 °C, and 31 °C), and gut passage time and digestive efficiency were determined. We found that neither metric was affected by temperature over the range tested. However, digestive efficiency was significantly impacted by the interaction between sex and temperature with males having significantly lower digestive efficiency than females at 31 °C, but not 29 °C or 30 °C. Our results provide insight into the effects of temperature on digestive physiology across narrow temperature ranges as well as demonstrate a sex-based difference in digestive physiology.
Assuntos
Boidae , Fenômenos Fisiológicos do Sistema Digestório , Criança , Masculino , Feminino , Humanos , Animais , Temperatura , Temperatura Alta , Boidae/fisiologia , Água , Temperatura CorporalRESUMO
Snakes of the genus Boa are outstanding elements of the New World biota with a broad sociological influence on pop culture. Historically, several taxa have been recognized in the past 300 years, being mostly described in the early days of binomial nomenclature. As a rule, these taxa were recognized based on a suite of phenotypic characters mainly those from the external morphology. However, there is a huge disagreement with respect to the current taxonomy and available molecular phylogenies. In order to reconcile both lines of evidence, we investigate the phylogenetic reconstruction (using mitochondrial and nuclear genes) of the genus in parallel to the detailed study of some phenotypic systems from a geographically representative sample of the cis-Andean mainland Boa constrictor. We used cyt-b only (744bp) from 73 samples, and cyt-b, ND4, NTF3, and ODC partial sequences (in a total of 2305 bp) from 35 samples, comprising nine currently recognized taxa (species or subspecies), to infer phylogenetic relationships of boas. Topologies recovered along all the analyses and genetic distances obtained allied to a unique combination of morphological traits (colouration, pholidosis, meristic, morphometric, and male genitalia features) allowed us to recognize B. constrictor lato sensu, B. nebulosa, B. occidentalis, B. orophias and a distinct lineage from the eastern coast of Brazil, which we describe here as a new species, diagnosing it from the previously recognized taxa. Finally, we discuss the minimally necessary changes in the taxonomy of Boa constrictor complex; the value of some usually disregarded phenotypic character system; and we highlight the urgency of continuing environmental policy to preserve one of the most impacted Brazilian hotspots, the Atlantic Forest, which represents an ecoregion full of endemism.
Assuntos
Boidae , Lepidópteros , Animais , Masculino , Filogenia , Boidae/genética , Mitocôndrias/genética , BrasilRESUMO
The embryonic development of many ectothermic species are highly sensitive to temperature and typically have a higher thermal optima than do most other physiological processes. Thus, female ectotherms often maintain a higher and more carefully controlled body temperature when she is supporting developing embryos (early development in oviparous species, throughout development in viviparous species). Considering the positive correlation between body temperature and evaporative water loss, this response could potentially exacerbate female water imbalance in water-limited environments, suggesting that female water balance and egg development may be in conflict. Using Children's pythons (Antaresia childreni), we hypothesized that water deprivation reduces thermophily during gravidity. We split reproductive females into two thermal treatments: those provided with a continuously available thermal gradient of 25-45 °C and those kept at a constant 31 °C. We also had seven non-reproductive females that were provided a thermal gradient. Within each thermal treatment group, we alternatingly assigned females to either have or not have water throughout gravidity. We found that reproduction increased female body temperature, but this increase was not affected by water regime. Reproduction also increased plasma osmolality, and lack of water during gravidity exacerbated this effect. We also found that thermal treatment, but not water regime, significantly influenced gravidity duration, with females given a thermogradient having a shorter gravidity duration, likely as a result of having a higher average body temperature than did the females provided constant heat. Finally, we found that females provided water throughout gravidity had greater clutch masses than did females without water. Further research is needed to improve scientific understanding of the interactions among water balance, body temperature, and various physiological performances.
Assuntos
Temperatura Corporal , Boidae , Criança , Gravidez , Feminino , Animais , Humanos , Número de Gestações , Boidae/fisiologia , Desidratação , Água , Temperatura , Febre , Regulação da Temperatura CorporalRESUMO
Diminishing natural resources and increasing climatic volatility are impacting agri-food systems, prompting the need for sustainable and resilient alternatives. Python farming is well established in Asia but has received little attention from mainstream agricultural scientists. We measured growth rates in two species of large pythons (Malayopython reticulatus and Python bivittatus) in farms in Thailand and Vietnam and conducted feeding experiments to examine production efficiencies. Pythons grew rapidly over a 12-month period, and females grew faster than males. Food intake and growth rates early in life were strong predictors of total lifetime growth, with daily mass increments ranging from 0.24 to 19.7 g/day for M. reticulatus and 0.24 to 42.6 g/day for P. bivittatus, depending on food intake. Pythons that fasted for up to 4.2 months lost an average of 0.004% of their body mass per day, and resumed rapid growth as soon as feeding recommenced. Mean food conversion rate for dressed carcasses was 4.1%, with useable products (dressed carcass, skin, fat, gall bladder) comprising 82% of the mass of live animals. In terms of food and protein conversion ratios, pythons outperform all mainstream agricultural species studied to date. The ability of fasting pythons to regulate metabolic processes and maintain body condition enhances food security in volatile environments, suggesting that python farming may offer a flexible and efficient response to global food insecurity.
Assuntos
Boidae , Animais , Feminino , Masculino , Boidae/fisiologia , Fazendas , Tailândia , VietnãRESUMO
Salmonella enterica subsp houtenae has been recovered from a wide variety of species, including reptiles, and has been linked to important clinical manifestations in snakes and lizards. We describe a case of concomitant fibrinonecrotic enteritis and orchitis associated with S. enterica subsp houtenae infection in a short-tailed boa (Boa constrictor amarali). At necropsy, the mucosa of the large intestine was covered by a focally extensive fibrinonecrotic exudate (diphtheritic pseudomembrane). The left testicle was enlarged, firm and diffusely expanded by a thick fibrinous yellow exudate. Polymerase chain reaction and conclusive antigenic testing indicated that the bacteria isolated from the lesions were S. enterica subsp houtenae, and the virulence genes InvA, slyA, stn and spvC were identified. This report reinforces that, although S. enterica subsp houtenae has been isolated from asymptomatic reptiles, it has the potential to cause life-threatening disease in snakes.
Assuntos
Boidae , Enterite , Orquite , Salmonella enterica , Salmonella , Masculino , Animais , Orquite/veterinária , Enterite/veterináriaRESUMO
Vertebrates elevate heart rate when metabolism increases during digestion. Part of this tachycardia is due to a non-adrenergic-non-cholinergic (NANC) stimulation of the cardiac pacemaker, and it has been suggested these NANC factors are circulating hormones that are released from either gastrointestinal or endocrine glands. The NANC stimulation is particularly pronounced in species with large metabolic responses to digestion, such as reptiles. To investigate the possibility that the pancreas may release hormones that exert positive chronotropic effects on the digesting Burmese python heart, a species with very large postprandial changes in heart rate and oxygen uptake, we evaluate how pancreatectomy affects postprandial heart rate before and after autonomic blockade of the muscarinic and the beta-adrenergic receptors. We also measured the rates of oxygen consumption and evaluated the short-term control of the heart using the spectral analysis of heart rate variability and the baroreflex sequence method. Digestion caused the ubiquitous tachycardia, but the intrinsic heart rate (revealed after the combination of atropine and propranolol) was not affected by pancreatectomy and therefore hormones, such as glucagon and insulin, do not appear to contribute to the regulation of heart rate during digestion in Burmese pythons.
Assuntos
Boidae , Animais , Frequência Cardíaca/fisiologia , Boidae/fisiologia , Taquicardia , Pâncreas , Hormônios/metabolismoRESUMO
This study aimed to describe sonographic features of the liver, gallbladder and hepatic histogram from grey-scale ultrasound in three species of healthy non-venomous snakes. Twenty-eight adult snakes were enrolled in the study, including 10 common boas (Boa constrictor), eight black-tailed pythons (Python molurus) and 10 rainbow boas (Epicrates crassus). The snakes fasted for 30 days and were manually restrained while conscious. For B. constrictor and P. molurus the liver and gallbladder were best visualized in ventral recumbency, and E. crassus in dorsal recumbency. A single elongated hepatic lobe was identified in all snakes. The gallbladder was positioned caudal and separated from the liver, with an oval shape and homogeneous anechoic content in the lumen, and thin and regular walls. A region of interest by pixel number was chosen for the liver, fat bodies, left kidney, and splenopancreas. The mean grey level (G) of the organs had significant differences within each species. Standard deviation of grey levels (SG ) had significant differences within B. constrictor and E. crassus. P. molurus had no significant difference among organs. The comparison among snakes showed that E. crassus had G of liver and splenopancreas lower than B. constrictor and P. molurus. The SG of the liver in E. crassus was lowest compared to B. constrictor and P. molurus. P. molurus showed the highest values in mean of G and SG . In conclusion, despite the liver and gallbladder having similar sonographic features, the grey-level histogram showed that liver echotexture and echogenicity differ among species.
Assuntos
Boidae , Vesícula Biliar , Animais , Vesícula Biliar/diagnóstico por imagem , Fígado/diagnóstico por imagem , Rim , SerpentesRESUMO
The Burmese python, one of the world's largest snakes, has reached celebrity status for its dramatic physiological responses associated with digestion of enormous meals. The meals elicit a rapid gain of mass and function of most visceral organs, particularly the small intestine. There is also a manyfold elevation of oxygen consumption that demands the heart to deliver more oxygen. It therefore made intuitive sense when it was reported that the postprandial response entailed a 40% growth of heart mass that could accommodate a rise in stroke volume. Many studies, however, have not been able to reproduce the 40% growth of the heart. We collated published values on postprandial heart mass in pythons, which include several instances of no change in heart mass. On average, the heart mass is only 15% greater. The changes in heart mass did not correlate to the mass gain of the small intestine or peak oxygen consumption. Hemodynamic studies show that the rise in cardiac output does not require increased heart mass but can be fully explained by augmented cardiac filling and postprandial tachycardia. Under the assumption that hypertrophy is a contingent phenomenon, more recent experiments have employed two interventions such as feeding with a concomitant reduction in hematocrit. The results suggest that the postprandial response of the heart can be enhanced, but the 40% hypertrophy of the python heart remains elusive.
Assuntos
Boidae , Digestão , Coração , Humanos , Digestão/fisiologia , Coração/fisiologia , Hipertrofia , HemodinâmicaRESUMO
There are few reports of Trypanosoma in snakes, as well as little information about its pathogenicity in these animals. Thus, the present study aimed to characterize Trypanosoma found in Boa constrictor snakes, to verify the influence of the parasitism on hematological and clinical biochemistry parameters, and to perform a phylogenetic study of the isolates. Blood samples from sixty-one boas were analyzed for the presence of trypanosomatids and by hematological and clinical biochemistry assays. The flagellates that were found in this analysis were used for cell culture, morphometry, and molecular analysis. Later, molecular typing phylogenetic studies were performed. Nine positive animals (14.75%) were identified by microscopy analysis. The hematological results showed that parasitized animals presented significantly lower levels of packed cell volume, hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin. In the leukogram, eosinophils and heterophils counts were higher in parasitized animals. Considering the molecular analyses, the isolates presented a higher identity of the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) and the 18S small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene fragments with Trypanosoma serpentis. The phylogenetic tree, using the GAPDH, clustered all isolates with T. serpentis and Trypanosoma cascavelli. This is the first description of T. serpentis parasitizing boas and of the clinical changes caused by trypanosomatid infection in snakes.
Assuntos
Boidae , Trypanosoma , Animais , Boidae/genética , Filogenia , DNA Ribossômico/genética , RNA Ribossômico 18S/genética , Serpentes , Gliceraldeído-3-Fosfato Desidrogenases/genética , DNA de ProtozoárioRESUMO
Reptarenaviruses cause Boid Inclusion Body Disease (BIBD), a fatal disease of boid snakes with an economic and ecological impact, as it affects both captive and wild constrictor snakes. The clinical picture of BIBD is highly variable but often only limited. Intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies (IB), which develop in most cell types including blood cells, are the pathognomonic hallmark of BIBD; their detection represents the diagnostic gold standard of the disease. However, IBs are not consistently present in clinically healthy reptarenavirus carriers, which can, if undetected, lead to and maintain the spread of the disease within and between snake populations. Sensitive viral detection tools are required for screening and control purposes; however, the genetic diversity of reptarenaviruses hampers the reverse transcription (RT) PCR-based diagnostics. Here, we describe a multiplex RT-PCR approach for the molecular diagnosis of reptarenavirus infection in blood samples. The method allows the detection of a wide range of reptarenaviruses with the detection limit reaching 40 copies per microliter of blood. Using 245 blood samples with a reference RT-PCR result, we show that the technique performs as well as the segment-specific RT-PCRs in our earlier studies. It can identify virus carriers and serve to limit reptarenavirus spreading in captive snake collections.