What the study found
The study found that liver trace element profiles differed by species in free-living large herbivores, with red deer showing comparatively higher copper and horses showing elevated iron and lead. It 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 study's estimated intervals differed from livestock standards. The findings indicate that mineral surveillance can support wildlife health assessment, track long-term environmental changes, 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 trace minerals and heavy metals with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, including arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, manganese, molybdenum, nickel, selenium, vanadium, and zinc.
What worked and what didn't
The monitoring system identified reference intervals and showed clear species-specific patterns in liver trace element concentrations. It also detected seasonal and age-related variation, as well as declining trends in some elements over time, including iron and lead across all species. Reference intervals estimated in the study differed from livestock standards, especially for copper and selenium.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not describe detailed study limitations beyond noting that the findings come from a minimally managed, multi-species population at one reserve. The results are specific to the species, site, and monitoring system described in the study.
Key points
- Red deer had comparatively higher copper levels.
- Horses had elevated iron and lead levels.
- Iron and lead declined over time across all species.
- Seasonal and age-related variations were observed.
- Reference intervals differed from livestock standards, especially for copper and selenium.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Trace mineral levels varied by species in free-living herbivores
- Authors:
- Inês Marcelino, Gustavo Monti, Perry Cornelissen, Evelyn Bassingthwaighte, Jasper het Lam, Deon van der Merwe, Wim H. M. van der Poel
- Institutions:
- Department of Virology, Illumina (United States), Institute for Biodiversity, Oklahoma State University, Royal Society for the Conservation of Nature, Senckenberg – Leibniz Institution for Biodiversity and Earth System Research, The University of Queensland, University of Amsterdam, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University & Research, Wageningen University & Research
- Publication date:
- 2026-02-24
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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