What the study found
Liver trace element levels in free-living large herbivores showed species-specific patterns, with red deer having comparatively higher copper and horses having elevated iron and lead. The study also found temporal declines in some elements, including iron and lead, across all species.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that species- and context-specific reference intervals are needed when assessing health in free-living herbivores, because the intervals estimated here differed from livestock standards, especially for copper and selenium. The study suggests these data can support wildlife health assessment, track long-term environmental change, and inform management decisions in nature reserves.
What the researchers tested
The researchers used a long-term post-mortem monitoring system based on routine liver sampling from Heck cattle, Konik horses, and red deer in the Oostvaardersplassen nature reserve in the Netherlands. They measured concentrations of trace minerals and heavy metals, including arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, selenium, vanadium, and zinc, using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.
What worked and what didn't
The monitoring approach identified reference intervals for multiple trace elements and detected species-specific, seasonal, and age-related variation. It also showed declines over time in some elements, including iron and lead. The abstract does not report any intervention or comparison showing what did not work.
What to keep in mind
The summary available here does not describe detailed limitations beyond the use of reserve-based, post-mortem liver sampling in minimally managed populations. The findings apply to the species and setting studied, and the abstract notes that reference intervals differed from livestock standards.
Key points
- Liver trace element profiles differed by species in free-living herbivores.
- Red deer had comparatively higher copper levels, while horses had elevated iron and lead.
- Iron and lead declined over time across all species studied.
- Reference intervals differed from livestock standards, especially for copper and selenium.
- The study used routine post-mortem liver sampling and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Trace mineral levels varied by species and time in free-living herbivores
- Publication date:
- 2026-02-24
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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