Wild vertebrates roadkill on the BR-230 Highway, State of Paraíba, Brazil

Abstract

The trampling of wild animals have received special attention from researchers in recent years because it is the primary cause of death on roads. However, studies that address the topic are still scarce and generally deal only with mammals. Therefore, this study aimed to monitor the mortality of wild animals by trampling between Campina Grande and Patos in the BR-230 highway from November 2010 to November 2011. Were made monthly trips lasting 2 hours traveled by car. We compared the number of trampling in the dry and rainy period. The animals killed on roads were identified to lowest possible taxonomic level, discarding pets. We recorded 188 specimens of vertebrates’ trampling, and the most sampled were mammals (n=108, 57.4%). The most representative species was Cerdocyon thous (n=87, 46.5%). The highest number of trampling occurred in the dry season. When compared by group, however, birds and reptiles had a greater number of trampling during the rainy season. Cerdocyon thous presented trampling rates higher than in other surveys conducted in Brazil (87 specimens, 46.5%), which seems to be a local reality. Among the reptiles get hit, 70% corresponded to species of snakes, which can be related to the slow movement and need for thermoregulation of these animals and because they are considered "dangerous animals", leading to intentional killing.