Survey of wild vertebrates killed by run over on a Brazilian state highway

Abstract

The roads and highways represent a great advance for the humanity development. Despite this, the construction of highways is one of the human actions with a great impact on the natural environment, such as the run over of wild animals. The objective of this work was to quantify and identify the wild vertebrate animals run over on the state highway MA-106, specifically the lenght that connects the cities of Santa Helena and Pinheiro. The methodology used for this work was the field research with survey of quantitative data. The carcasses of the found animals were photographed, each carcass was georeferenced, as well as recorded in data sheets, and carcass re-run over was also evaluated. 41 species were found, with a total of 16 different vertebrate species. The reptile class was the most affected with 43.90% records and six species, and the less affected class was the amphibian with 4.88% records and two species. During the study, there was no seasonality in the monthly run over rate for mammals and amphibians, while the birds group had a higher incidence in the less rain period. For reptiles, the highest incidence occurred during the period of rainfall. Ultimately, after analyzing the collected data, it is perceive that some mitigation measures can be implemented to minimize the run overs, such as an adequate fauna signaling, methods that difficult animals to cross the highways and devices that facilitate fauna crossing roads.