(3.2%), mammals (8.9%), and unidentified vertebrates (3.2%) (Table 7.1). Most
birds were passerines (Passeriformes), which accounted for 15 of the 25 species
identified, and 67.9% of 53 individuals identified to species level. White wagtails
(Motacilla alba) accounted for about 35% of the individuals identified, while for 18
species we found only a single individual. Only eight individuals of strictly aquatic
species were identified, including two common moorhens (Gallinula chloropus),
and one each of mallard (Anas plathyrhynchos), flamingo, great cormorant
(Phalacrocorax carbo) and lesser black-backed gull (Larus fuscus). To these
should be added five white storks (Ciconia ciconia), which are frequently found in
flooded rice fields in the area.
Table 7.1 Summary results of vertebrate mortality detected in the “Variante de Alcácer” railway
(southern Portugal), between November 2012 and October 2013
Species
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Wetland/Forest
(6.3 km)
Forest (5.8 km)
Forest (4.2 km)
N
N/km/10 days N N/km/10 days N N/km/10 days
Amphibians
6
0.40
2 0.29
3 0.60
Common toad Bufo bufo
–
–
1 0.14
– –
Natterjack toad Bufo calamita
–
–
– –
2 0.40
Common/Natterjack toad Bufo
bufo/calamita
–
–
– –
1 0.20
Treefrog Hyla sp.
1
0.07
1 0.14
– –
Perez’s frog Rana perezi
1
0.07
– –
– –
Fire salamander Salamandra
salamandra
1
0.07
– –
– –
Crested newt Triturus marmoratus 1
0.07
– –
– –
Unidentified amphibian
2
0.13
– –
– –
Reptiles
2
0.13
– –
2 0.40
Large psammodromus
Psammodromus algirus
–
–
– –
2 0.40
Montpellier snake Malpolon
monspessulanus
2
0.13
– –
– –
Birds
89
5.89
3 0.43
2 0.40
Mallard Anas plathyrhychos
1
0.07
– –
– –
Greater flamingo Phoenicopterus
roseus
1
0.07
– –
– –
White stork Ciconia ciconia
5
0.33
– –
– –
Great cormorant Phalacrocorax
carbo
1
0.07
– –
– –
Cattle egret Bubulcus ibis
1
0.07
– –
– –
Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
2
0.13
– –
– –
Lesser black-backed gull Larus
fuscus
1
0.07
– –
– –
Rock dove (domestic) Columba
livia
3
0.20
– –
– –
(continued)
108
C. Godinho et al.
birds were passerines (Passeriformes), which accounted for 15 of the 25 species
identified, and 67.9% of 53 individuals identified to species level. White wagtails
(Motacilla alba) accounted for about 35% of the individuals identified, while for 18
species we found only a single individual. Only eight individuals of strictly aquatic
species were identified, including two common moorhens (Gallinula chloropus),
and one each of mallard (Anas plathyrhynchos), flamingo, great cormorant
(Phalacrocorax carbo) and lesser black-backed gull (Larus fuscus). To these
should be added five white storks (Ciconia ciconia), which are frequently found in
flooded rice fields in the area.
Table 7.1 Summary results of vertebrate mortality detected in the “Variante de Alcácer” railway
(southern Portugal), between November 2012 and October 2013
Species
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Wetland/Forest
(6.3 km)
Forest (5.8 km)
Forest (4.2 km)
N
N/km/10 days N N/km/10 days N N/km/10 days
Amphibians
6
0.40
2 0.29
3 0.60
Common toad Bufo bufo
–
–
1 0.14
– –
Natterjack toad Bufo calamita
–
–
– –
2 0.40
Common/Natterjack toad Bufo
bufo/calamita
–
–
– –
1 0.20
Treefrog Hyla sp.
1
0.07
1 0.14
– –
Perez’s frog Rana perezi
1
0.07
– –
– –
Fire salamander Salamandra
salamandra
1
0.07
– –
– –
Crested newt Triturus marmoratus 1
0.07
– –
– –
Unidentified amphibian
2
0.13
– –
– –
Reptiles
2
0.13
– –
2 0.40
Large psammodromus
Psammodromus algirus
–
–
– –
2 0.40
Montpellier snake Malpolon
monspessulanus
2
0.13
– –
– –
Birds
89
5.89
3 0.43
2 0.40
Mallard Anas plathyrhychos
1
0.07
– –
– –
Greater flamingo Phoenicopterus
roseus
1
0.07
– –
– –
White stork Ciconia ciconia
5
0.33
– –
– –
Great cormorant Phalacrocorax
carbo
1
0.07
– –
– –
Cattle egret Bubulcus ibis
1
0.07
– –
– –
Moorhen Gallinula chloropus
2
0.13
– –
– –
Lesser black-backed gull Larus
fuscus
1
0.07
– –
– –
Rock dove (domestic) Columba
livia
3
0.20
– –
– –
(continued)
108
C. Godinho et al.