Herpetofauna atropelada em duas estradas do Município de Tefé, Amazonas, Brasil

Abstract

Brazil is widely recognized as one of the world's richest countries in herpetofauna diversity, harboring an impressive variety of amphibians and reptiles across its diverse biomes. However, this biological wealth is increasingly threatened due to a series of factors, including deforestation, habitat fragmentation, and, particularly, the impact of roads. Wildlife roadkill, especially of herpetofauna, emerges as one of the main causes of biodiversity loss along Brazilian highways. In light of this, the present study aims to identify and determine the roadkill rates of herpetofauna species on the roads of Agrovila (AGRO) and EMADE (EMA). Monitoring was conducted weekly in AGRO (N=287) and EMA (N=63), totaling 350 field outings, carried out by 2 or more researchers on bicycles, from August 2017 to August 2023. The recorded animals were identified at the lowest taxonomic level possible. To analyze species richness, rarefaction curves were generated using the CHAO estimator. In AGRO, 1,081 reptiles (647 systematic and 434 occasional) were found, belonging to 18 families and 63 species, with the most affected being Atractus collaris (N=140), Amphisbaena fuliginosa (N=111), Dipsas catesbyi (N=98), Ameiva ameiva (N=97), Erythrolamprus reginae (N=58), and Oxyrhopus melanogenys (N=47). In AGRO, 3,412 amphibians (2,890 systematic and 522 occasional) belonging to 10 families and 37 species were found, with the most affected being Rhinella marina (N=783), Rhinella major (N=695), Scinax gr. ruber (N=613), Leptodactylus macrosternum (N=279), Osteocephalus taurinus (N=180), and Trachycephalus typhonius (N=129). Overall, the roadkill rates (RR) for amphibians were 0.66 individuals per kilometer per day (ind./km/day), and for reptiles, RR was 0.15 ind./km/day. To reduce the impact of roadkill, it is essential to implement preventive and corrective measures, such as installing physical barriers and underpasses. Reducing speed on roads and conducting educational campaigns are also essential to raise awareness among drivers.