Dr. Vera Rduch

Chair Systematic Zoology, Mammalogy

Tel: +49 228 9122-372

Fax: +49 228 9122-212

Mail: v.rduch [at] leibniz-zfmk.de

Tabs

Profile

Field of work

I am the project coordinator of GBOL III: Dark Taxa, and have been working for the German Barcode of Life project (GBOL) project since 2014 and thus have 1st hand knowledge of the workflows and project partners. Since the beginning of 2019 I coordinate the GBOL consortium as the successor of Dr. Matthias Geiger.

Well-trained mammalogist, my main research focus so far are ecological niches and niche partitioning patterns of bovids in the southern central Africa. I am involved in nature conservation in Zambia and member of the IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group.

Memberships

IUCN/SSC Antelope Specialist Group, Deutsche Gesellschaft für Säugetierkunde (DGS), Zoologische Gesellschaft für Arten- und Populationsschutz (ZGAP), Alexander-Koenig-Gesellschaft (AKG), Freunde des Kölner Zoos

Awards

Dissertation Award of the Alexander Koenig Society

Further information

Language skills: German (mother tongue), French and English (both fluent), qualification in Latin

Projects

2021

Biodiversity Processing HUB™

How to overcome this recent biodiversity dilemma and speed up the availability of material with undescribed diversity?!?

Unit:

Department Arthropoda, Biobank, Chair Systematic Zoology, Mammalogy

Project lead:

Björn Rulik

Funding:

Zoological Research Museum Alexander Koenig

2020

GBOL III: Dark Taxa

The BMBF-funded GBOL, the German Barcode of Life initiative, has been run successfully over the last eight years. It delivered an operative DNA barcode reference library for German animals, fungi and plants. However, a significant proportion of insect taxa has so far been excluded from GBOL and merely all biodiversity research, because no or only very insufficient expertise and information are available that allow to get a grip on them. They are called “Dark Taxa”.

Unit:

Hymenoptera, Diptera, Chair Systematic Zoology, Mammalogy, Biobank, Biodiversity Informatics, Directorate, Centre for Biodiversity Monitoring and Conservation Science (zbm), Administration, ZFMK International Graduate School, Metabarcoding, Department Arthropoda, Centre for Molecular Biodiversity Research (zmb)

Project lead:

Dr. Ralph S. Peters

Funding:

Federal Ministry of Education and Research

2011

GBOL- German Barcode of Life

"German Barcode of Life" ( GBOL ) is a project sponsored by the BMBF and includes the creation of inventories for the gentic characterization of the animals, fungi and plants of germany, using DNA-Barcodes.

Project lead:

Prof. Dr. J. Wolfgang Wägele

Funding:

Federal Ministry of Education and Research

Publications

Published in

2024

Rduch, V., Dey, L.-S., Ghazaryan, A., Husemann, M., Iankoshvili, G., Krammer, H.-J., Lambrecht, M., Marabuto, E., Mengual, X., Müller, B., Peters, R.S., Rulik, B., Salden, T., Silva-Brandão, K.L., Espeland, M., Thormann, J., Töpfer, T., Weiss, C., Żyła, D. & Hein, N. (2024): Exkursion in den Kaukasus: Der CaBOL BioBlitz 2022 in Armenien und Georgien. Koenigiana 18: 21-40

[more]

2023

Jafari, S., Müller, B., Rulik, B., Rduch, V. & Peters, R. S. (2023): Another crack in the Dark Taxa wall: a custom DNA barcoding protocol for the species-rich and common Eurytomidae (Hymenoptera, Chalcidoidea) . Biodiversity Data Journal 11: e101998.

[more]

Links:

Link [Open Access]...

Leese F., Woppowa L., Bálint M., Höss S., Krehenwinkel H., Lötters S., Meissner K., Nowak C., Rausch P., Rduch V., Rulik B., Weigand A. M., Zimmermann J., Koschorreck J. & Züghart W. 2023: DNA-basierte Biodiversitätsanalysen im Natur- und Umweltschutz: Welche Optionen haben wir für eine Standardisierung? Eine Handlungsempfehlung aus Forschung und Praxis. BfN-Schriften 666: 1-53. Bundesamt für Naturschutz, Bonn. DOI 10.19217/skr666

[more]

Links:

Link [Open Access]

Rduch, V. (2023): The Puku Antelope (Kobus vardonii). Die Neue Brehm Bücherei. Militzke Verlag GmbH, 266 pp.

[more]

Links:

https://www.neuebrehm.de/buecher/771-the-puku-antelope

2022

Böhme, W., Koppetsch, T., Rduch, V. (2022): Melanism in monitor lizards (Squamata: Varanidae), with a first case in the Nile Monitor, Varanus (Polydaedalus) niloticus (Squamata: Varanidae). - Herpetology Notes 15: 257-262; https://www.biotaxa.org/hn/article/view/72870

[more]

Documents:

boehme_et_al._2022_melanism_in_monitor_lizards.pdf

Rduch, V. (2022): Die Puku-Antilope (Kobus vardonii). Neue Brehm Bücherei. VerlagsKG Wolf, 288 pp.

[more]

Links:

https://www.neuebrehm.de/buecher/767-die-puku-antilope

2021

Böhme, W., Rduch, V. (2021): Über Schweine – gelöste und ungelöste Fragen aus Südamerika. – Koenigiana 15(2): 87-96.

[more]

Rduch, V & Jentke, T. (2021): Eine Forschungsreise nach Sambia: Alarmierende Neuigkeiten von den Puku-Antilopen (Kobus vardonii) im Kasanka-Nationalpark. Koenigiana 15(1): 3-20

[more]

Rduch, V. & Jentke, T. (2021): Alarming decline of bovids in Kasanka National Park, Zambia: a case study of the puku antelope (Kobus vardonii). African Journal of Ecology. DOI: 10.1111/aje.12843

[more]

Links:

https://doi.org/10.1111/aje.12843

2020

Rduch, V., Peters, P.S. (2020). GBOL III: Dark Taxa – die dritte Phase der German Barcode of Life Initiative hat begonnen. Koenigiana 14: 91-107

[more]

Hausmann, A., Krogmann, Peters, R.S., Rduch, V. & Schmidt S. (2020): GBOL III: Dark Taxa. iBOL Barcode Bulletin 10(1). DOI: 10.21083/ibol.v10i1.6242

[more]

Links:

https://ibol.org/barcodebulletin/research/gbol-iii-dark-taxa/

Rduch, V. (2020): Kobus vardonii (Artiodactyla: Bovidae). Mammalian Species 52 (994): 86-104.

[more]

Links:

https://academic.oup.com/mspecies/article-abstract/52/994/86/6035131

Taiga, L.K., Kamgang, S.A., Bakwo Fils, E.M., Tsakem, C.S. & Rduch, V. (2020): The status and population dynamics of Buffon’s kob (Kobus kob kob, ERXLEBEN 1777) in Faro National Park, Northern Cameroon. African Journal of Ecology 00: 1– 10. DOI: 10.1111/aje.12808

[more]

Links:

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/aje.12808

2019

Rduch, V. & Sliwa, A. (2019): Saiga-Antilopen (Saiga tatarica): aus den Steppen Asien über den Kölner Zoo ins Museum Koenig nach Bonn. Koenigiana 13(1): 13-30.

[more]

Links:

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334544762_Saiga-Antilopen_Saiga_tataric…

2018

Rduch, V. (2018). Puku (Kobus vardonii Livingstone, 1857) – characteristic antelopes of Luangwa Valley in Zambia: Population status and distribution patterns in Luambe National Park. Gnusletter 35 (2): 4-12.

[more]

2017

Rduch, V. (2017): A snapshot into the spotted hyaena's feeding ecology (Crocuta crocuta) in the miombo woodland of Zambia. African Journal of Ecology 55: 372-375. DOI: 10.1111/aje.12347

[more]

Rduch, V. (2017): Gibt es einen Prädationsdruck auf die Puku-Antilopen (Kobus vardonii) im Kasanka Nationalpark in Sambia? Zeitschrift des Kölner Zoos 60: 79-95.

[more]

Rduch, V. & Sliwa, A. (2017): Breeding and life history patterns of Saiga antelopes (Saiga tatarica) at Cologne Zoo, Germany. European Journal of Wildlife Research 63: 90. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-017-1149-7

[more]

2016

Rduch, V. (2016). Population characteristics and coexistence of puku (Kobus vardonii) and impala (Aepyceros melampus) in and around Kafue National Park, Zambia. Mammalian Biology – Zeitschrift für Säugetierkunde 81(4): 350-360. DOI: 10.1016/j.mambio.2016.03.005

[more]

Rduch, V. (2016): Diet of the puku antelope (Kobus vardonii) and dietary overlap with selected other bovids in Kasanka National Park, Zambia. Mammal Research 61(3): 289-297. DOI: 10.1007/s13364-016-0268-y

[more]

Pages

Presentations

Talks

Rduch, V. & Peters, R.S. (2020): Background & General Introduction to GBOL III: Dark Taxa. GBOL III: Dark Taxa – Kick Off Meeting. 06.10.2020, virtual Meeting. Presenting authors: V.Rduch & R.S.Peters.
Rduch, V., Montermann, C., Jentke, T., Hutterer, R., Ansorge, H., Thormann, J., von der Mark, L., Bärmann, E.V., Decher, J., Geiger, M.F., Rulik, B. & Astrin, J.J. (2019): Beep! -- Barcoding Germany's mammals, Vortrag am 18.9.2019. 93rd Annual Meeting of the German Society for Mammalian Biology (DGS), 16.-20.09.2019, Dresden. Presenting author: V.Rduch
Rduch, V. (2019): Take it easy: behaviour patterns of puku (Kobus vardonii) in Zambia. Vortrag am 18.9.2019. 93rd Annual Meeting of the German Society for Mammalian Biology (DGS), 16.-20.09.2019, Dresden.
Rduch, V., Geiger, M.F., Rulik, B. und J.W. Wägele (2019) – on behalf of the GBOL consortium: German Barcode of Life project: legacy and progeny. Vortrag am 20.06.2019. 8th International Barcode of Life Conference. Trondheim, Norwegen. 17.-20.06.2019 – Vortragende: V.Rduch
Rduch, V. (2019): GBOL – German Barcode of Life. Projektpräsentation im Rahmen des Workshops: „Gemeinsam eine nachhaltige, digitale Zukunft gestalten – Daten für eine nachhaltige Entwicklung“ am 13.05.2019 während des 15. BMBF-Forum für Nachhaltigkeit. 13.-14.05.2019 in Berlin.
Rduch, V. (2019): Sambia: von oben bis unten und von nass bis trocken. Populärwissenschaftlicher Vortrag. Treffen der Biologischen Gesellschaft der Aquarien- und Terrarienfreunde Bonn. 19.03.2019 - Haus am Rhein, Bonn.
Rduch, V. (2018): Faszinierende Charakterköpfe: Leben und Zucht der Saiga Antilopen im Kölner Zoo. Vortragsreihe: Was Wissenschaft und Forschung bewegt. Populärwissenschaftlicher Vortrag. 17 October 2018 - Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum A. Koenig, Bonn, Germany.
Rduch, V. & Sliwa, A. (2018): Saiga antelopes (Saiga tatarica) at Cologne Zoo, Germany: Husbandry, breeding and life history of an extraordinary animal. 20 September 2018, 92nd Annual Meeting of the German Society for Mammalian Biology (DGS) 17. – 20. September 2018, Bonn. Abstract published in: 92nd Annual Meeting German Society for Mammalian Biology (DGS) (Abstracts), 17th to 20th September 2018, Bonn, Germany. Presenting author: V. Rduch.
Rduch, V. (2018): Faszinierende Charakterköpfe: Leben und Zucht der Saiga Antilopen im Kölner Zoo. Populärwissenschaftlicher Vortrag. Treffen der Biologischen Gesellschaft der Aquarien- und Terrarienfreunde Bonn. 18 September 2018 - Haus am Rhein, Bonn, Deutschland, Germany.
Rduch, V. (2018): The puku (Kobus vardonii) and its grassy diet within the miombo ecoregion: what's the matter with sexes, seasons, sites and competitors in Kasanka National Park, Zambia? 18 September 2018 92nd Annual Meeting of the German Society for Mammalian Biology (DGS) 17th to 20th September 2018, Bonn, Germany. Abstract published in: 92nd Annual Meeting German Society for Mammalian Biology (DGS) (Abstracts), 17th to 20th September 2018, Bonn, Germany.
Rduch, V. (2018): Puku in Zambia: Results of past research. Invited talk for the Conservation Club. 04 August 2018. Chipembele Wildlife Education Trust. Chipembele Offices, Mfuwe, Zambia.
Rduch, V. (2018): Puku and other antelopes in Zambia: Results of past research and ideas for future projects. Talk and discussion with the guides of Kaingu Lodge. 21 July 2018. Kaingu Lodge, Zambia.
Rduch, V. (2018): Puku and Impala in the surroundings of Kaingu Lodge, Zambia. Invided popular scientifc talk for guests of the Kaingu Lodge. 20 July 2018. Kaingu Lodge, Zambia.
Rduch, V. (2018): Puku and other antelopes in Zambia: Results of past research and ideas for future projects. Invited talk. 05 July 2018. Department of National Parks and Wildlife, headquarters, Chilanga, Zambia.
Rduch, V. (2018): Feldforschung im Herzen Afrikas: Puku, Impalas, Sitatungas und Lechwe-Antilopen in Sambia. Treffen der Biologischen Gesellschaft der Aquarien- und Terrarienfreunde Bonn. 16 January 2018 - Haus am Rhein, Bonn, Germany.
Rduch, V. & Sliwa, A. (2017): Breeding and life history patterns of Saiga antelopes (Saiga tatarica) at Cologne Zoo, Germany. 11th International Conference on Behaviour, Physiology and Genetics of Wildlife. 4th-7th October 2017, Berlin, Germany., Abstract published in: Contributions to the 11th International Conference on Behaviour, Physiology and Genetics of Wildlife. 4th-7th October 2017, Berlin, Germany. Presenting author: V. Rduch
Rduch, V. (2016): Zwischen Kafue und Kasanka – Vielfältige Tierwelten in Sambia. Vortragsreihe: Forschung im Museum Koenig – Der Artenvielfalt auf der Spur. Popular scientific talk. 17 February 2016 - Zoologisches Forschungsmuseum A. Koenig, Bonn, Deutschland.
Rduch, V. (2016): Zwischen Kafue und Kasanka – Vielfältige Tierwelten in Sambia. Invited popular scientific talk. 16 February 2016 – Kölner Zoo, Köln, Deutschland.
Rduch, V. (2015): Puku (Kobus vardonii) and impala (Aepyceros melampus) in Zambia – what enables their coexistence? Talk. 89th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Mammalian Biology (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Säugetierkunde e.V.). 13.-16.September 2014, Hannover, Deutschland. Abstract veröffentlicht in: Mammalian Biology – Zeitschrift für Säugetierkunde: Volume 80, Supplement. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mambio.2015.07.005
Rduch, V. (2014): Ecology and Population status of the puku antelope (Kobus vardonii Livingstone, 1857) in Zambia – with a focus on the population status and the distribution patterns of the puku and the dietary competition between bovid species in Kasanka National Park. Oral presentation of the results of the PhD thesis in front of management, ecologists and wildlife police officers of Kasanka Trust Ltd, 6^th May 2014, WASA Lodge, Kasanka National Park, Zambia.
Rduch, V. (2014): Ecology and Population status of the puku antelope (Kobus vardonii Livingstone, 1857) in Zambia – with a focus on the co-occurrence of puku and impala in and around Kafue National Park. Oral presentation of the results of the PhD thesis at Kaingu Safari Lodge in front of the lodge management and safari guides. 17^th April 2014. Kaingu Lodge, Zambia.
Rduch, V. (2014): Ecology and Population status of the puku antelope (Kobus vardonii Livingstone, 1857) in Zambia. Oral presentation of the results of the PhD at the Zambian Wildlife Authority in front of ecologist, employees and students. 10^th April 2014. Zambian Wildlife Authority head quarters, Chilanga, Zambia.
Rduch, V. (2013): Ökologie der Pukus (Kobus vardonii) in Sambia. Oral presentation. Montagskolloquium – Zoologisches Museum Alexander Koenig, Germany. 11^th March 2013

Poster

Rduch, V., Geiger, M.F., Rulik, B. und J.W. Wägele (2019) – on behalf of the GBOL consortium: Beyond the DNA reference library of the German Barcode of Life project: Methods and applications in progress. ePosterpräsentation am 18.06.2019. 8th International Barcode of Life Conference. Trondheim, Norwegen. 17.-20.06.2019 – Presenting author: V.Rduch.
Rduch, V., Hutterer, R., Decher, J., Bärmann, E.V., Astrin, J.J., Geiger, M.F., Rulik, B. (2018): Mammals in the German Barcode of Life project: reference data, target lists and ‘missing taxa’Rduch, 92nd Annual Meeting German Society for Mammalian Biology (DGS), 17. – 20. September 2018 – Bonn. Presenting author: V. Rduch, Abstract published in: 92nd Annual Meeting German Society for Mammalian Biology (DGS) (Abstracts), 17th to 20th September 2018, Bonn, Germany.
Rduch, V., Rulik, B., Hutterer, R., Decher, J. & Geiger, M.F. (2017): Dead or alive: most wanted mammals of Germany… elks, horseshoe bats and kin. Presenting author: V. Rduch, Abstract published in: Contributions to the 11th International Conference on Behaviour, Physiology and Genetics of Wildlife. 4th-7th October 2017, Berlin, Germany
Rduch, V. (2015): Where, what and when? The coexistence of puku (Kobus vardonii) and impala (Aepyceros melampus) in Zambia. Poster. Abstract veröffentlicht in: Contributions to the 10th International Conference on Behaviour, Physiology and Genetics of Wildlife, 28. September - 1. Oktober 2015, Berlin, Germany.
Rduch, V. (2014): What affects populations of puku (Kobus vardonii) in selected areas of Zambia? Poster and Abstract. 88^th Annual Meeting of the German Society for Mammalian Biology (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Säugetierkunde e.V.).1^st-4^th September 2014, Giessen, Germany. Abstract published in: Mammalian Biology – Zeitschrift für Säugetierkunde: Volume 79, Supplement: 17. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mambio.2014.02.003.
Rduch, V. (2013): Diet of puku antelope (Kobus vardonii) and dietary overlap among bovid species in Zambia. Poster and abstract. Contributions to the 9th International Conference on Behaviour, Physiology and Genetics of Wildlife, 18th – 21st September 2013, Berlin, Germany.
Rduch, V. (2013): Ecology and distribution patterns of puku antelope (Kobus vardonii) in Kasanka NP, Zambia. Poster and abstract. Contributions to the 9th International Conference on Behaviour, Physiology and Genetics of Wildlife, 18th – 21st September 2013, Berlin, Germany.
Rduch, V., Simon, A. & R. van den Elzen (2009): How many are there? Counting antelopes in Luambe National Park, Zambia. Poster & Abstract. “Tropical Vertebrates in a Changing World” 6^th International Tropical Zoological Symposium. Mai 2009, Museum Koenig, Bonn.
Rduch, V. (2009): The Puku: its abundance and habitat preferences in Luambe National Park, Zambia. Poster & Abstract. “Tropical Vertebrates in a Changing World” 6^th International Tropical Zoological Symposium. Mai 2009, Museum Koenig, Bonn.

Education

12/2013-12/2018: postdoc at the ZFMK
10/2008-12/2013: PhD student in the ZamBio-project at the ZFMK. Dissertation project: „Ecology and status of population of the puku antelope (Kobus vardonii) in Zambia“.
10/2002-04/2008: studies of biology at the Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-University in Bonn. Field of studies: zoology, botany, geography and as additional field ‘ecology and environment’. Final degree: diplom (cf. master of science).
04/2007-04/2008: Diploma thesis (cf. master thesis) at the ZFMK whithin the ZamBio-Project: „Habitatpreferences and distribution of the puku antelope (Kobus vardonii Livingstone, 1957) in Luambe Nationalpark, Zambia”
2002: German Abitur and French baccalauréat (final secondary-school examinations) at the Friedrich-Ebert-Gymnasium in Bonn.

Stays abroad

07/2018-08/2018: Zambia: Presentations and discussions „Antelopes in Zambia – Needs and Priorities for Conservation and Research“
04/2014-05/2014: Zambia: Presentations and discussion around the findings of my thesis
11/2011: research and collection of arthropods, field assistance, Zambia
3/2011-5/2011: 3rd and last data collection for the PhD thesis in Zambia. Study region: Kasanka Nationalpark, Kafue Nationalpark and surrounding Game-Management-Areas.
6/2010-12/2010: 2nd data collection for the PhD thesis in Zambia. Study region: Kafue Nationalpark and surrounding Game-Management-Areas and Kasanka Nationalpark.
6/2009-9/2009: 1st data collection for the PhD thesis in Zambia. Study region: Kasanka Nationalpark.
6/2007-9/2007: data collection for the diploma thesis in Luambe Nationalpark, Zambia.

Interships beyond the university

10/2006-12/2006: Zoo de Doué, France: Observations on spider monkeys (Ateles fusciceps robustus) regarding the social relations within the group. Observations on spectacled bears (Tremarctos ornatus) and pygmy hippopotamuses (Hexaprotodon liberiensis) with regard to stereotypies – development and evaluation of counteractive measures.
3/2006: Cologne Zoo, Germany: Observations on racoons (Procyon lotor) with focus on foraging behaviours and the manipulation of food.
4/2003: Tiergarten Kleve, Germany: zookeeper, insights into the management of zoo animals.
3/2003: Zoo Neuwied, Germany: zookeeper.

Staff search

Organizational placement

Please choose a staff list

Search form

Dr. Vera Rduch

Tabs

Field of work

Memberships

Awards

Further information

2021

Biodiversity Processing HUB™

2020

GBOL III: Dark Taxa

2011

GBOL- German Barcode of Life

Pages

2024

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

Pages

Talks

Poster

Education

Stays abroad

Interships beyond the university

Staff search