Misuse of Historical Data to Determine Past Distribution Range and Migratory Patterns of the Patagonian Huemul Misleads Conservation Targets

Abstract

Historical information is widely used to understand mammals distribution dynamics and drivers, and it has been worldwide acknowledged by conservation programmes. Although these records have some limitations such as spatial and temporal accuracy, non-standardized sampling, geographical imprecisions, and levels of bias, they can fulfil a useful function to set reference conditions, priorities, and conservation goals. In the case of huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus), an endemic cervid of shrubby and forested habitats from the Andes Mountains of southern Argentina and Chile, some reports suggest its historical presence in the steppe biome. This led Flueck et al. (2022) to assume that the past distribution of the huemul extended as far as the Atlantic coast and even in Tierra del Fuego, proposing that the altitudinal migratory tradition has been broken. Here, we carried out a qualitative and quantitative analysis of the written sources used by the authors to support their assumptions. We conclude that there are errors, uncertainties, and questionable interpretations on the use of historical data that do not add more value, instead, add mostly confusion with the misleading potential of conservation efforts on huemul.