Vertebrados atropelados em um trecho da BR-230, em frente à Floresta Nacional da Restinga de Cabedelo, Paraíba, Brasil.

Abstract

Brazil has a high diversity of vertebrates, however its fauna has been threatened by the development of infrastructure of several types. Roads and highways affect directly the fauna of the region where it is built because it causes loss and fragmentation of habitats. This study monitored and evaluated trampling of wild vertebrates, identifying the groups of animals susceptible to car collision in an urban section of BR230. The results of this study showed the dimension of highway impacts on fauna in general and those observed along the east limits of the Floresta Nacional da Restinga de Cabedelo (FLONARest), Paraíba, Brasil, and subsidized in suggesting measures to reduce animal trampling. The number of trampled animals was determined by monthly (October 2017 to September 2018) visits to the 1.94 km long highway section, when the carcasses of trampled animals were recovered, identified and photographed. During this period, 76 trampled carcasses were recovered, and classified in 13 Orders, 27 Families and 35 Species. The most commonly trampled species were Lepdodactylus chaquensis and Didelphis marsupialis. Most of the trampled animals was mammals (30 cases), followed by amphibians (21), reptiles (16) and birds (9). Mitigation measures that could be implemented to decrease trampling of wild animals include fencing around the FLONARest, road signs indicating the presence of wild animals, and educative campaigns addressed to drivers of vehicles regarding the impacts of highways on fauna.