Amphibian and Reptile Road Mortality in Special Nature Reserve Obedska Bara, Serbia
Abstract:
Amphibians and reptiles are the most threatened vertebrates by traffic, especially near
ponds and wetlands. The main aim of this study was to examine seasonal and spatial patterns of
amphibian and reptile road mortality in Special Nature Reserve “Obedska bara” (Serbia). We chose a
road section of 4.2 km near the largest wetland in Serbia, with two different habitat types (forest-pond
and agricultural area-pond). During 2018 (32 fieldwork days) and 2019–2020 (three control fieldwork
days), we found 20,457 and 2231 road-killed animals, respectively. We recorded nine amphibian
and eight reptile species. Amphibians (93%) were more vulnerable to traffic than reptiles (7%). The
number of killed amphibians and reptiles varied between the seasons. Generally, amphibian roadkill
was most frequent during the summer, whereas reptile roadkill was most frequent in spring and at
the end of the summer. Furthermore, different roadkill patterns were observed during the examined
months. In addition, we found that habitat type significantly affects the vulnerability of animals
towards the roads. For both amphibians and reptiles, there were significant aggregations of roadkill,
and most hotspots were located at the forest pond habitat type where mitigation measures must be
applied (construction of tunnels and fences).
Keywords:
roadkill; herpetofauna; hotspots; vehicle collisions; road mitigationSource:
Animals, 2022, 12, 5, 561-Funding / projects:
- Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation of the Republic of Serbia, institutional funding - 200007 (University of Belgrade, Institute for Biological Research 'Siniša Stanković') (RS-MESTD-inst-2020-200007)
DOI: 10.3390/ani12050561
ISSN: 2076-2615
PubMed: 35268129