Spatial patterns of reptile road mortality in a coastal landscape of the Río de la Plata, Argentina

Road mortality is a major threat to vertebrate populations worldwide, yet its spatial patterns remain poorly documented for many taxonomic groups and regions. In particular, information on the spatial distribution of reptile road mortality is scarce in temperate coastal landscapes of southern South America. We analyzed reptile road mortality records obtained through systematic surveys conducted between 2019 and 2025, complemented by museum specimens (2000–2022) and citizen science records (2013–2025), along a 249-km coastal corridor of the Río de la Plata, Argentina. Using kernel density estimation, we evaluated the spatial patterns of road mortality and identified areas with high concentrations of roadkill events. A total of 191 road-killed reptiles belonging to 17 species were recorded, with snakes accounting for the majority of individuals. Road mortality was spatially concentrated in four well-defined hotspots, which differed in species richness and diversity. These results provide a baseline assessment of reptile road mortality in a coastal landscape and highlight priority areas for monitoring and management along the studied road corridor.