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Dr. Krystan Wilkinson (she/her)

Staff Scientist

Sarasota Dolphin Research Program (SDRP)

Today's Research for Tomorrow's Oceans
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Contact:

krystan@mote.org

(941) 388-4441, ext. 343

Biography:

Krystan Wilkinson is a staff scientist employed by Brookfield Zoo Chicago and based at Mote Marine Laboratory as part of a partnership to engage in dolphin research, education and conservation action. Dr. Wilkinson is also an adjunct scientist with the Sharks & Rays Conservation Research Program at Mote. Her research assesses predator-prey interactions between sharks and coastal bottlenose dolphin populations in southwestern Florida, and movement ecology of sharks, dolphins and marine rays.

Education:

Ph.D. Interdisciplinary Ecology, University of Florida (2018) 
M.Sc. Wildlife Ecology and Conservation (2014), University of Florida
Certificate, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) (2010), University of Wisconsin 
B.S. Zoology, University of Wisconsin (2008)
B.S. Biological Aspects of Conservation, University of Wisconsin (2008)

Featured Publications

Wilkinson, K. A., Langan, J. N., Meegan, J. M., Toms, C. N., Faulkner Allen, R., Sweeney, J. C., Fauquier, D. A., Kiszka, J. J., Hostnik, E. T., Barratclough, A., Walsh, M. T., Wells, R. S. (2025). Case Report: Shark bite resulting in a urethral obstruction and urinary tract-body wall fistula in a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) in Sarasota Bay, Florida. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2025.1551129
Kerri M. Scolardi, Krystan A. Wilkinson, William H. Aeberhard (2025). Long-term aerial monitoring of Florida manatees Trichechus manatus latirostris in a diverse Gulf Coast environment. Endangered Species Research, 56, 213-230. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr01394
DiMaggio, K. M., Acevedo, M. A., McHugh, K. A., Wilkinson, K. A., Allen, J. B., Wells, R. S. (2023). The fitness consequences of human-wildlife interactions on foraging common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Sarasota Bay, Florida. Marine Mammal Science, 1-17. https://doi.org/ 10.1111/mms.13042
Wells RS, Cremer MJ, Berninsone LG, Albareda D, Wilkinson KA, Stamper MA, Paitach RL, Bordino P (2022). Tagging, ranging patterns, and behavior of franciscana dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei) off Argentina and Brazil: Considerations for conservation. Marine Mammal Science, 38.0(2.0), 571-605. https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.12879
Boggio-Pasqua A, Bassos-Hull K, Aeberhard WH, Hoopes LA, Swider DA, Wilkinson KA and Dureuil M (2022). Whitespotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari) age and growth in wild (in situ) versus aquarium-housed (ex situ) individuals: Implications for conservation and management. Frontiers in Marine Science, 9.0, 960822. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2022.960822
Griffin, L.P., Friess, C., Bakenhaster, M.D. et al. (2022). Assessing the potential for red tide (Karenia brevis) algal bloom impacts on Atlantic tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) along the southwestern coast of Florida. Environmental Biology of Fishes, 106.0, 255-273. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-022-01324-7
Clavere-Graciette, A.G., McWhirt, M.E., Hoopes, L.A. et al. (2022). Microbiome differences between wild and aquarium whitespotted eagle rays (Aetobatus narinari). Animal Microbiome, 4.0(34.0). https://doi.org/10.1186/s42523-022-00187-8
Friess, C., Lowerre-Barbieri, S.K., Poulakis, G.R., Hammerschlag, N., et al. (2021). Regional-scale variability in the movement ecology of marine fishes revealed by an integrative acoustic tracking network. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 663, 157-177. https://doi.org/10.3354/meps13637
DeGroot, B.C., Bassos-Hull, K., Wilkinson, K.A., Lowerri-Barbieri, S., Poulakis, G.R., Ajemian, M.J. (2021). Variable migration patterns of whitespotted eagle rays, Aetobatus narinari, along FloridaŐs Coastlines. Marine Biology, 168, 18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-021-03821-2
McBride-Kebert, S., Taylor, J., Wilkinson, K., Lyn, H., Moore, F., Sacco, D., Kar, B., Kuczaj, S. (2019). Common Bottlenose Dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, Seasonal Habitat Use and Associations with Habitat Characteristics in Roanoke Sound, North Carolina. International Journal of Comparative Psychology / ISCP; sponsored by the International Society for Comparative Psychology and the University of Calabria, 32.. https://doi.org/10.46867/ijcp.2019.32.02.01
Cerutti-Pereyra, F., Bassos-Hull, K., Arvizu-Torres, X., Wilkinson, K.A., Garcia-Carrillo, I., Perez-Jimenez, J.C., Hueter, R.E. (2018). Observations of spotted eagle rays (Aetobatus narinari) in the Mexican Caribbean using photo-ID. Environmental Biology of Fishes, 101.0(2), 237-244. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10641-017-0694-y
Mullin, K. D., McDonald, T., Wells, R. S., Balmer, B. C., Speakman, T., Sinclair, C., Zolman, E. S., Hornsby, F., McBride, S. M., Wilkinson, K. A., Schwacke, L. H. (2017). Density, abundance, survival, and ranging patterns of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Mississippi Sound following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. PLOS One, 12(10), e0186265. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0186265
Wilkinson, K.A., Wells, R.S., Pine, W.E., & Borkhataria, R.R. (2017). Shark bite frequency in resident common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Sarasota Bay, Florida. Marine Mammal Science, 33(2), 678-686. https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.12385
Wells, R. S., Schwacke, L. H., Rowles, T. K., Balmer, B. C., Zolman, E., Speakman, T., Townsend, F. I., Tumlin, M. C., Barleycorn, A., & Wilkinson, K. A. (2017). Ranging patterns of common bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus in Barataria Bay, Louisiana, following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Endangered Species Research, 33, 159-180. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00732

Additional Publications

Wilkinson, K.A., J.N. Langan, J.M. Meegan, C.N. Toms, R. Faulkner Allen, J.C. Sweeney, D.A. Fauquier, J.J. Kiszka, E.T. Hostnik, A. Barratclough, M.T. Walsh, and R.S. Wells. 2025. Case report: Shark bite resulting in a urethral obstruction and urinary tract-body wall fistula in a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) in Sarasota Bay, Florida. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 12. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2025.1551129
 
Scolardi, K.M., K.A. Wilkinson, and W.H. Aeberhard. 2025. Long-term aerial monitoring of Florida manatees, Trichechus manatus latirostris, in a diverse Gulf Coast environment. Endangered Species Research, 56: 213-230. doi: 10.3354/esr01394 
 
DiMaggio, K.M., M.A. Acevedo, K.A. McHugh, K.A. Wilkinson, J.B. Allen, and R.S. Wells. 2023. The fitness consequences of human-wildlife interactions on foraging common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Sarasota Bay, Florida. Marine Mammal Science, 39: 1161-1177. doi: 10.1111/mms.13042
 
Griffin, L.P., C. Friess, M. Bakenhaster, K. Bassos-Hull, S. Walters Burnsed, J.W. Brownscombe, S.J. Cooke, R.D. Ellis, J.M. Gardiner, J. Locascio, S. Lowerre-Barbieri, G. Poulakis, T. Wiley, K.A. Wilkinson, J.K. Wilson, A.K. Wooley, A.J. Adams, and A.J. Danylchuk. 2023. Assessing the potential for red tide (Karenia brevis) algal bloom impacts on Atlantic tarpon (Megalops atlanticus) along the southwestern coast of Florida. Environmental Biology of Fishes, Special Topic: Conservation connections: science informing management for flats fishes. doi: 10.1007/s10641-022-01324-7
 
Boggio-Pasqua, A., K. Bassos-Hull, W.H. Aeberhard, L.A. Hoopes, D.A. Swider, K.A. Wilkinson, and M. Dureuil. 2022. Whitespotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari) age and growth in wild (in situ) versus aquarium-housed (ex situ) individuals: implications for conservation and management. Frontiers in Marine Science Marine Megafauna, Special topic: Contributions of Zoos and Aquariums to the Advancement of Marine Science. Frontiers in Marine Science 9:960822. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2022.960822
 
Clavere-Graciette, A.G., M.E. McWhirt, L.A. Hoopes, K. Bassos-Hull, K.A. Wilkinson, F.J. Stewart, and Z.A. Pratte. 2022. Microbiome differences between wild and aquarium whitespotted eagle rays (Aetobatus narinari). Animal Microbiome, 4: 1-15. doi: 10.1186/s42523-022-00187-8
 
Wells, R.S., M.J. Cremer, L.G. Berninsone, D. Albareda, K.A. Wilkinson, M.A. Stamper, R.I. Paitach, and P. Bordino. 2022. Tagging, ranging patterns and behavior of franciscana dolphins (Pontoporia blainvillei) off Argentina and Brazil: considerations for conservation. Marine Mammal Science, 38: 571-605. doi: 10.1111/mms.12879.
 
Berens McCabe, E.J., R.S. Wells, C. Toms, A. Barleycorn, K.A. Wilkinson, and V.I. Palubok. 2021. Effects of multiple Karenia brevis red tide blooms on a common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) prey fish assemblage: patterns of resistance and resilience in Sarasota Bay, Florida. Frontiers in Marine Science. doi: 10.3389/fmars.2021.711114.
 
DeGroot, B.C., K. Bassos-Hull, K.A. Wilkinson, S. Lowerri-Barbieri, G.R. Poulakis, and M.J. Ajemian. 2021. Variable migration patterns of whitespotted eagle rays, Aetobatus narinari, along Florida’s Coastlines. Marine Biology, 168: 1-21. doi: 10.1007/s00227-021-03821-2.
 
Friess, C., L.P. Griffin, G.A. Alvarez, K. Bassos-Hull, J. Bickford, E.C. Bohaboy, A. Collins, A. Danylchuck, B.C. DeGroot, R.D. Ellis, A.G. Fox, J.M. Gardiner, R.D. Grubbs, N. Hammerschlag, A. Hill, A. Kroetz, J. Locascio, H. Menendez, P.M. O’Donnell, W.F. Patterson, III, C.T. Peterson, G.R. Poulakis, M.E. Price, C. Purtlebaugh, M. Randall, J.S. Rehage, R.M. Scharer, R.W. Schloesser, C.P. Shea, G.B. Skomal, M.J. Smukall, S. Walters-Burnsed, F.G. Whoriskey, T.R. Wiley, K.A. Wilkinson, J. Young, and S. Lowerre-Barbieri. 2021. Regional scale variability in the movement ecology of marine fishes revealed by an integrative acoustic tracking network. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 663: 157-177. doi: 10.3354/meps13637. 
 
Perry, C.T., Z.A. Pratte, A. Clavere-Graciette, K.B. Ritchie, R.E. Hueter, A.L. Newton, G.C. Fischer, E.A. Dinsdale, M.P. Doane, K.A. Wilkinson, K. Bassos-Hull, K. Lyons, A.D.M. Dove, L.A. Hoopes, andF.J. Stewart. 2021. Elasmobranch microbiomes: emerging patterns and implications for host health and ecology. Animal Microbiome, 3. doi: 10.1186/s42523-021-00121-4.
 
McBride-Kebert, S., J.S. Taylor, K.A. Wilkinson, H. Lyn, F.R. Moore, D.F. Sacco, B. Kar, and S.A. Kuczaj, II. 2019. Common bottlenose dolphin, Tursiops truncatus, seasonal habitat use and associations with habitat characteristics in Roanoke Sound, North Carolina. International Journal of Comparative Psychology, 32: 1-21. doi: 10.5070/P4321042423. 
 
Cerutti-Pereyra, F., K. Bassos-Hull, X. Arvizu-Torres, K.A. Wilkinson, I. García-Carrillo, J.C. Perez-Jimenez, and R.E. Hueter. 2017. Observations of spotted eagle rays (Aetobatus narinari) in the Mexican Caribbean using photo-ID. Environmental Biology of Fishes, 101:237-244. doi: 10.1007/s10641-017-0694-y.
 
Mullin, K.D., T. McDonald, R.S. Wells, B.C. Balmer, T. Speakman, C. Sinclair, E.S. Zolman, F. Hornsby, S.M. McBride, K.A. Wilkinson, and L.H. Schwacke. 2017. Density, survival, and ranging patterns of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Mississippi Sound following the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. PLoS ONE, 12(10): e0186265. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0186265.
 
Wilkinson, K.A., R.S. Wells, W.E. Pine, III, R.R. Borkhataria. 2017. Shark bite scar frequency in resident common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in Sarasota Bay, Florida. Marine Mammal Science, 33:678-686. doi: 10.1111/mms.12385.
 
Wells, R.S., L.H. Schwacke, T.K. Rowles, B.C. Balmer, E. Zolman, T. Speakman, F.I. Townsend, M. Tumlin, A. Barleycorn, K.A. Wilkinson. 2017. Ranging Patterns of common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) in and near Barataria Bay, Louisiana, following the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. Endangered Species Research, 33: 159-180. doi: 10.3354/esr00732.
 
Bassos-Hull, K., K.A. Wilkinson, P.T. Hull, D.A. Dougherty, K.L. Omori, L.E. Ailloud, J. Morris, and R.E. Hueter. 2014. Life history and seasonal occurrence of the spotted eagle ray, Aetobatus narinari, in the eastern Gulf of Mexico. Environmental Biology of Fishes, 97:1039-1056. doi: 10.1007/s10641-014-0294-z. 
 
Brockmeier, E.K., W.E. Pine, K.A. Wilkinson, and N.D. Denslow. 2014. Exposure to paper mill effluent at a site in North Central Florida elicits molecular-level changes in gene expression indicative of progesterone and androgen exposure. PLoS ONE, 9: e106644. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0106644.