While researching a topic, a student has taken the following notes: • Organisms release cellular material into their environment by shedding substances such as hair or skin. • The DNA in these substances is known as environmental DNA, or eDNA. • Researchers collect and analyze eDNA to detect the presence of species that are difficult to observe. • Geneticist Sara Oyler-McCance’s research team analyzed eDNA in water samples from the Florida Everglades to detect invasive constrictor snake species in the area. • The study determined a 91% probability of detecting Burmese python eDNA in a given location.