Abstract

GOMEZ-MORENO, Vannia del C.; NINO-MALDONADO, Santiago; MEDELLIN, Rodrigo A.  and  PONCE-MARROQUIN, Melissa. Mortality of medium to big size terrestrial mammals on highways in the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico. Acta Zool. Mex [online]. 2025, vol.41, e2707.  Epub May 20, 2025. ISSN 2448-8445.  https://doi.org/10.21829/azm.2025.4112707.

Roads with their vehicular traffic have a negative impact on the environment and represent a threat to terrestrial mammals. In Mexico, information on the species of wild mammals most frequently run over and the factors that influence them is limited. The objective of this study was to identify the species with the highest mortality rates, to know the road sections with the highest density of carcasses, and to analyze factors that contribute to increased mammal mortality in the state of Tamaulipas. This includes habitat type and the presence of water near roads. For this purpose, monthly sampling was carried out for one year (July 2021-June 2022) on four highways, with 12 visits each for a total of 48 visits. A total of 64 records were obtained corresponding to 22 mammal species, with Didelphis virginiana (N=14) and Canis latrans (N=eight) being the most affected. The months with the highest mortality were February, April, and October. In addition, the Victoria-Monterrey highway (MEX-085) had the highest number of carcasses (20 specimens). While vegetation near the roads was a variable that influenced mammal mortality. Further research is crucial to identify risk areas and implement mitigation measures to conserve wildlife on Tamaulipas highways.

Keywords : Carnivore; abundance; impact; vehicles.

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