Roads as activity corridors for cane toads in Australia.

The toxic cane toad (Bufo marinus) has been introduced to Australia. We investigated the distribution of cane toads in relation to roads and tracks in Australia, where this species has the potential to affect native wildlife. Cane toads were more dense (P = <0.05) on roads and vehicle tracks than in many types of surrounding vegetation. Furthermore, toads used roads as activity and dispersal corridors, especially in forested habitats and other habitats with dense ground and tree canopy vegetation. Roads, therefore, assist toads to extend their range and road construction can facilitate colonization by toads of previously inaccessible areas, which could further degrade fragmented forest.