Stay home, stay safe? High habitat suitability and environmental connectivity increases road mortality in a colonizing mesocarnivore

Abstract Context Anthropogenic structures have considerable effects on ecosystems, disrupting natural population processes and representing a serious risk in terms of vehicle collisions. The golden jackal ( Canis aureus ) is mesocarnivore species whose range expanding Europe. Roadkills are one the main human-induced mortalities Italy to species. Objectives Identify road-related characteristics ecological factors related roadkill Italy. Methods We used habitat suitability (Maxent) connectivity (Circuit theory) models derive 15 metrics potentially affecting risk. tested their influence using Bayesian generalized linear comparing locations random locations. Furthermore, we if there were significant sex, age-related seasonal differences among road-killed individuals. Results found that was higher areas characterized by values connectivity, fragmentation along highways. It lower with increasing distance source presence guardrails. No detected between sexes, age classes season Conclusions identified road mortality jackals provide insights how mitigate wildlife-vehicle Crossing areas, visual acoustic warnings for wildlife, as well importance managing fences high traffic volume roads could help further damage. Finally, need investigate effectiveness mitigation measures light jackal’s ongoing expansion human-modified landscape.