An alternative interpretation of plasma selenium data from endangered Patagonian huemul deer (Hippocamelus bisulcus)

Abstract

Recently, Chihuailaf et al. (2014) reported plasma mineral concentrations in endangered huemul deer (Hippocamelus bisulcus) to help inform recovery efforts. They described plasma selenium (Se) concentrations as similar to those of other cervids and within reference intervals for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). Flueck and Smith-Flueck (2008, 2011) presented indirect evidence supporting the hypothesis that disease and lacking recovery in remnant huemul subpopulations may be linked to mineral imbalances, particularly Se. Reanalyzing the data, most of the reported huemul plasma Se values would be considered severely deficient (64%) or deficient (9%), with only a minority of the values considered marginal (18%) or adequate (9%). The data reported by Chihuailaf et al. (2014) thus suggest that most of the huemul were Se deficient by North American cattle standards.