| dc.description | We monitored the mortality of herpetofauna on a fortnightly basis along National Highway 220, which cuts across the Western Ghats, India, during December 2006- November 2007. In all, 101 amphibians (3.5 amphibians/ 10km) belonging to six taxa and 78 reptiles (2.7 reptiles/ 10 km) of 23 taxa were found dead in 48 surveys. The mortality of amphibians during day and night was significantly different (Z= 3.12, n1= 24, n2= 24, P < 0.01), whereas this was not so with respect to reptiles. The difference in the mortality of amphibians between seasons was not significant, but it was significant with respect to reptiles (Z= -1.188, n1= 24, n2= 24, p< 0.05). Overall, the road kills of amphibians were significantly correlated with that occurring in nearby forests (r = 0.67, n= 12, P< 0.01), but reptiles had no such relationship. The number of road kills of amphibians and reptiles on a monthly basis was not correlated with the intensity of vehicle plying on the road. Key Words: Biodiversity hotspot, Asia, amphibians, reptiles, road kills. Resumen: Mortalidad de herpetofauna debido a tráfico vehicular en los Western Ghats, India: un caso de estudio Monitoreamos la mortalidad de herpetofauna sobre una base bi-semanal a lo largo de la Autopista Nacional 220 que atraviesa los Western Ghats, India, durante diciembre 2006- noviembre 2007. En total, 101 anfibios (3.5 anfibios/ 10km) pertenecientes a seis taxones, y 78 reptiles (2.7 reptiles/ 10 km) de 23 taxones fueron encontrados muertos en 48 muestreos. La mortalidad de los anfibios durante el día y la noche fue significativamente diferente (Z= 3.12, n1= 24, n2= 24, P | es-ES |
