Both positive samples in our study originated in Eastern Garter
Snakes, which are the most dominant species in the grasslands at PNR
[33]. Currently we have not sampled a sufficient number of snakes
across species to determine whether this species harbors more WNV,
or if the larger rates at which the Eastern Garter Snake were encountered
led to the increased probability of WNV being detected. It is also
important to note that the six species that we tested represent only a
fraction of herpetofauna across the USA. Thus, although our work
represents an important step in WNV research in wild reptiles, the
inclusion of more snake species at sites with higher rates of WNV,
as well as other reptiles would greatly improve our understanding
of the role of other non-avian vertebrates in WNV transmission.
Another important next step will be to determine whether snakes
in the wild have active viremia, which would clarify the contribution
of snakes to WNV transmission and improve our understanding
of the eco-epidemiology of WNV, both of which have implications
for human health.