Roadkilled bats (mammalia: Chiroptera) in two highways of santa catarina state, Southern Brazil

Abstract

Among all roads threats, roadkills in highways are considered the greatest source of anthropic pressure on wild vertebrate populations. In Brazil, data on bat-vehicles collisions are scarce and underestimated in studies on roadkilled fauna. Herein we present the first records of bat-vehicles collisions in the southern region of Santa Catarina state, Brazil. Eleven individuals were recorded, belonging to at least four species. Sturnira lilium presented the highest frequency of collisions, followed by Artibeus lituratus. The diet and foraging behavior are the most likely factors that explain the number of roadkilled bats in highways.