Copper deficiency in Tule Elk at Point Reyes, California
Journal of Range Management
By: Peter J.P. Gogan, David A. Jessup, and Mark Akeson
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Abstract
Tule elk (Cervus elaphus nannodes) reintroduced to Point Reyes, Calif., in 1978 exhibited gross signs of copper deficiency by June 1979. Copper levels in liver (x=5.9 ppm) and serum (0.42 ppm) of elk in Point Reyes were below levels in adult tule elk from other locations in California (liver, x=80 ppm; serum, x=1.4 ppm). These levels were consistent with documented copper deficiencies in wild and domestic ruminants. Copper serum levels increased in response to copper enriched dietary supplements and declined after the elk stopped eating the supplements. Analysis of plant and soil samples showed both are deficient in copper and normal in molybdenum and sulfur-sulfates. Deficiency in plants and soils at Point Reyes are probably due to low copper levels in the underlying granitic parent material.
Suggested Citation
Gogan, P., Jessup, D., and Akeson, M., 1989, Copper deficiency in Tule Elk at Point Reyes, California: Journal of Range Management, v. 42, no. 3, p. 233-238, https://doi.org/10.2307/3899480.
Study Area
| Publication type | Article |
|---|---|
| Publication Subtype | Journal Article |
| Title | Copper deficiency in Tule Elk at Point Reyes, California |
| Series title | Journal of Range Management |
| DOI | 10.2307/3899480 |
| Volume | 42 |
| Issue | 3 |
| Year Published | 1989 |
| Language | English |
| Publisher | Society for Range Management |
| Publisher location | Denver, CO |
| Description | 6 p. |
| Larger Work Type | Article |
| Larger Work Subtype | Journal Article |
| Larger Work Title | Journal of Range Management |
| First page | 233 |
| Last page | 238 |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| Other Geospatial | Point Reyes |