Current Positions  

Associate Research Professor, Institute of Marine Life Sciences, Texas A&M University, Galveston, Texas, USA 

Research Faculty, Mammal Research Institute, University of Pretoria, Whale Unit - Cape Town, South Africa  

Research Scientist (Adjunct), Mote Marine Laboratory, Sarasota, Florida, USA

Visiting Lecturer, Department of Marine Sciences, University of Hawai‘i at Hilo, Hawaii, USA  

Academic Record 

Post-Doctoral Research 2.  Fellow of the Texas Institute of Oceanography, Texas A&M University, USA (2000 – 2003).

Post-Doctoral Research 1.  Marine Mammal Research Program, Texas A&M University at Galveston, USA (1998 – 2000).

Ph.D. in Zoology.  University of Port Elizabeth, South Africa (1997).  

M.Sc. in Oceanography and Sea Fisheries.  University of Gdańsk and Agricultural University of Szczecin, Poland (1989).    

Research Interest           

Dr. Karczmarski's research interest centers on: a) cetacean behavioral ecology, especially habitat relationships, odontocete group dynamics and social strategies; b) evolutionary processes that shape population structure and mating systems of delphinid cetaceans, and how they relate to other known mammalian systems; and c) conservation concepts that recognize the importance of marine mammals in the integrated management of aquatic ecosystems.  In his past and present work, Dr. Karczmarski puts emphasis on the ecology of group living, population structure, and animal-habitat interactions on a population level.  He is interested in understanding how environmental variability, both natural and anthropogenic, and intrinsic factors influence aggregation patterns, population structure, and social behaviors.  From the applied ecology standpoint, such approach provides means for understanding how environmental pressures, either natural or human-induced, influence daily lives of free-ranging animals.  Several of Dr. Karczmarski's research projects address questions related to conservation planning for marine mammal populations, contributing to issues such as the principles of the design and management of marine protected areas, and designation of stock structure in pelagic animals.   

Geographic Interest 

Geographic region of interest covers semi-pelagic and coastal habitats throughout the tropics and subtropics, particularly the atoll systems of central and south Pacific and Indian Ocean, and coastal systems of South and East Africa, and the Caribbean.  In previous years, Dr. Karczmarski’s research took him to South Africa, Mozambique, Tanzania, Kenya, Zanzibar, Madagascar, Mayotte, the Bahamas, Belize, Hawai‘i, Cook Islands, Maldives, and the Peruvian Amazon. 

Current Research

Field Projects                       

1. Social ecology of spinner dolphins Stenella longirostris in the remote atolls of far-western Hawai‘i, collaboration with B. Würsig (Texas A&M).  Research topics include: a) population structure and connectivity, b) social strategies, c) group dynamics and patterns of fission-fusion, d) spatial and temporal movements, e) population social structure relative to environmental pressures, f) effects of insularity, g) comparisons with other known mammalian systems, and h) management implications.          

2. Genetic structure of Hawaiian spinner dolphins.  A collaborative research project, conducted jointly with K.R. Andrews (University of Hawai‘i, Manoa) investigating patterns of gene flow between spinner dolphin groups across the Hawaiian island chain; variation within populations and divergence between populations relative to varied degrees of geographic insularity.  

3. Feeding ecology of Hawaiian spinner dolphins; collaboration with G.A.J. Worthy, University of Central Florida.  Fatty acid signature analysis and stable isotopic signature analysis are used to investigate feeding ecology of spinner dolphins in various habitats of the Hawaiian Archipelago, and compared to the pelagic form of spinner dolphins from the Eastern Tropical Pacific.   

4. Spinner dolphins of equatorial East Africa: population ecology and taxonomic status.  Research project conducted in the Pemba Channel region, northern Zanzibar Archipelago, Tanzania, and off south Kenya coast.  Taxonomic status investigated in collaboration with W.F. Perrin and R. Leduc of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and NOAA Southwest Fisheries Science Center. 

5. Conservation status of dugongs Dugong dugon in Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique (the likely last biologically-viable population of dugongs in East Africa), conducted jointly with A.T. Guissamulo, Museu de História Natural, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane.  Research involves population assessment through aerial surveys, and habitat mapping.  Conservation of dugongs is promoted as part of long-term management planning for the Bazaruto Marine National Park. 

6. Conservation ecology of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins Sousa chinensis and bottlenose dolphins Tursiops aduncus in southern Mozambique, conducted jointly with A.T. Guissamulo.  Research topics include: a) population size, structure, residence rates, b) spatial and temporal movement patterns, c) group dynamics, and d) habitat relationships.  

7. Population ecology of bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus in the Belize barrier reef lagoon system.  A new project, initiated in mid-2005, conducted in the Drowned Cayes area, central Belize; investigating population parameters, group structure, genetic relationships, and management status of bottlenose dolphins off the central Belize coast (in collaboration with C. Self-Sullivan of Hugh Parkey Foundation). 

8. Ecology of sustainable dolphin-watch tourism in East Africa.  A new research project, intended to begin in mid/late-2006, that will guide the development of ecologically sustainable eco-tourism based on dolphin-watch operations, and promote environmental education in coastal Tanzania and Kenya.  

     More About Field Projects: (under construction) 

NorthWestern Hawaiian Islands Spinner Dolphin Project  {Click here}  

Humpback Dolphin Project in Mozambique  {Click here}  

Dugong Conservation Project in Bazaruto Archipelago, Mozambique   {Click here}  

Spinner Dolphins off East Africa  {Click here}  

Delphinid Social Systems: The Spinner Dolphin Model (South Pacific and Tropical Indian Ocean)  {In Preparation: planning phase}  

Other Projects  

1. Delphinid and primate comparative social ecology, a collaborative project with J. Yamagiwa of Kyoto University.  Two international meetings, a conference at Kyoto University (28-30 July 2005) and a symposium at the Ninth International Mammalogical Congress (IMC 9), Sapporo, Japan (1 August 2005), drew together international expertise in the fields of primate and delphinid behavioral ecology.  An edited, multi-author volume, Social ecology of dolphins, monkeys and apes: A comparative overview, currently in preparation for the University of Chicago Press, will provide a synthesis of the current state of knowledge of social ecology and social evolution in primates and delphinids (edited by L. Karczmarski and J. Yamagiwa, intended date of going to press: late 2007).  For details go to the symposia website: http://ecol.zool.kyoto-u.ac.jp/~chaka/DPSE/index.htm

2. Database management system for photo-identification of free-ranging cetaceans.  A collaborative project with G.A. Gailey of Texas A&M University and R.S. Wells of Mote Marine Laboratory, developing a database system that will interface with computer-based individual identification programs, and will assist with the standardization of field data collection, data management, and mark-recapture analyses.   

3. Curriculum development for marine education and environmental outreach in Belize.  Member of a Strategic Planning Committee, Spanish Bay Conservation and Research Center, Hugh Parkey Foundation for Marine Awareness and Education, Belize.

 Previous Research

Doctoral Research (1991 – 1997)

Centre for Dolphin Studies, Port Elizabeth Museum and University of Port Elizabeth, South Africa.  Principal Researcher in two research projects:

1. Ecological studies of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins, which investigated population parameters, size, social dynamics, habitat preference, movement, range, seasonal occurrence/abundance, and patterns of diurnal behavior of humpback dolphins in the Algoa Bay region, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa.  Specific conservation and management recommendations were made for the Eastern Cape region, and an overall conservation guideline was formulated for this species along the southeast African coast.

2. Ecological studies of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins, which examined the occurrence and movement patterns, habitat use, group dynamics, behavior, population figures and seasonal dynamics of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins Tursiops aduncus along the south Eastern Cape coast of South Africa. 

Selected Other Research

1. Visiting Researcher, member of a research team led by Dr. Tamara McGuire (River Dolphins of Peru Research Project), investigating abundance, distribution, and habitat preferences of boto Inia geoffrensis and tucuxi Sotalia fluviatilis in the upper Amazon, Pacaya-Samiria National Reserve, Peru.  (2000) 

2. Principal Researcher, Midway Atoll Spinner Dolphin Research Project (sponsored by Oceanic Society, San Francisco).  Investigated the population structure, social dynamics, habitat preference, patterns of behavior, movements, and seasonal dynamics of spinner dolphins at Midway Atoll, western Hawaiian archipelago.  Collaborated with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff of the Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge in establishing conservation measures for the Refuge.  (1998 – 2000)

3. Research Advisor, The Coastal Dolphins of Belize Research Project.  Guided the design of research protocol to investigate patterns of distribution, movement and habitat use of Atlantic bottlenose dolphins Tursiops truncatus in Drowned Cayes, Belize, Central America.  (1999)

4. Research Advisor, Museu de História Natural, Universidade Eduardo Mondlane, Mozambique.  Provided guidelines (research design and data analyses) to field studies of Indo-Pacific bottlenose and humpback dolphins in western Maputo Bay, Mozambique.  Research objectives included assessment of population parameters and fishery interactions. (1994 – 1997)

5. Researcher, Port Elizabeth Museum, South Africa.  Member of a research team assessing the ecological status of coastal marine resources along the west coast of Madagascar, Tuléar to Nosy Bé.  (1997)

6. Researcher, Western Indian Ocean Dugong Research Project, Port Elizabeth Museum, South Africa.    Member of a research team assessing the abundance and distribution of dugongs along the central and south coast of Mozambique, and levels of human impact on the dugong population.  (1994)  

Summer Teaching (2006)  

Marine Mammal Research Experience: Field Course in Belize 

 - Course Description Click Here (PDF file)   

 - 1- Page Course Flyer  Click Here (PDF file)  

 - Registration Form  Click Here (PDF file) 

Selected Publications

Karczmarski, L., Würsig, B, Gailey, G.A., Larson, K.W. & Vanderlip, C. (2005).  Spinner dolphins in a remote Hawaiian atoll: social grouping and population structure.  Behavioral Ecology 16: 675-685.  {PDF}  

Jefferson, T.A. & Karczmarski, L. (2001).  Sousa chinensis.  Mammalian Species 655: 1-9.  {PDF}  

Karczmarski, L. (2000).  Conservation and management of humpback dolphins: the South African perspective.  Oryx 34: 207-216.  {PDF}

Karczmarski, L., Thornton, M. & Cockcroft, V.G. (2000).  Daylight occurrence of humpback dolphins Sousa chinensis in Algoa Bay, South Africa.  African Journal of Ecology 38: 86-90.  {PDF)   

Karczmarski, L., Cockcroft, V.G. & McLachlan, A. (2000).  Habitat use and preferences of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins Sousa chinensis in Algoa Bay, South Africa.  Marine Mammal Science 16: 65-79. {PDF}

Karczmarski, L. (1999).  Group dynamics of humpback dolphins Sousa chinensis in the Algoa Bay region, South Africa.  Journal of Zoology, London 249: 283-293.  {PDF}

Karczmarski, L., Cockcroft, V.G. & McLachlan, A. (1999).  Group size and seasonal pattern of occurrence of humpback dolphins Sousa chinensis in Algoa Bay, South Africa.  South African Journal of marine Science 21: 89-97.  {PDF}    

Karczmarski, L., Winter, P.E.D., Cockcroft, V.G. & McLachlan, A. (1999).  Population analyses of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins Sousa chinensis in Algoa Bay, Eastern Cape, South Africa.  Marine Mammal Science 15: 1115-1123.  {PDF}    

Karczmarski, L., & Cockcroft, V.G. (1999).  Daylight behaviour of Humpback dolphins Sousa chinensis in Algoa Bay, South Africa.  Zeitschrift für Säugetierkunde 64: 19-29.  {PDF}    

Karczmarski, L. & Cockcroft, V.G. (1998).  Matrix photo-identification technique applied in studies of free-ranging bottlenose and humpback dolphins.  Aquatic Mammals 24: 143-147.  {PDF}  

Karczmarski, L., Cockcroft, V.G., McLachlan, A. & Winter, P.E.D. (1998).  Recommendations for the conservation and management of humpback dolphins Sousa chinensis in the Algoa Bay region, South Africa.  Koedoe 41: 121-129.  {PDF}  

Karczmarski, L., Thornton, M. & Cockcroft, V.G. (1997).  Description of selected behaviours of humpback dolphins Sousa chinensis.  Aquatic Mammals 23: 127-133.  {PDF}  

Coming Out Soon 

Andrews, K., Karczmarski, L., Au, W.W.L., Rickards, S., Vanderlip, C.A., Toonen, R.J. (2006).  Patterns of genetic diversity in the Hawaiian spinner dolphin (Stenella longirostris).  Atoll Research Bulletin 543 (In Press).  

Gowans, S., Würsig, B. & Karczmarski, L. (In Review).  Delphinid social strategies: An ecological approach.  Advances in Marine Biology 00: 000-000. 

In Preparation

Karczmarski, L. & Rickards, S.  How much fission-fusion is there? – Social dynamics of an insular spinner dolphin population.  Intended journal: Animal Behaviour.

Karczmarski, L., Rickards, S., Gowans, S., Würsig, B. & Vanderlip, C.  Intra-group dynamics of an insular spinner dolphin population.  Intended journal: Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, Series B: Biological Sciences.

Karczmarski, L., Rickards, S., Würsig, B., Vanderlip, C. & Ross, G.L.  Patterns of behavior of spinner dolphins Stenella longirostris at Midway Atoll.  Intended journal: Journal of Mammalogy. 

Karczmarski, L., & Cockcroft, V.G.  Seasonal dynamics of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins Tursiops aduncus in the Algoa Bay region, South Africa.  Intended journal: Canadian Journal of Zoology.

Karczmarski, L., Cockcroft, V.G., McLachlan, A. & Thornton, M.  Daylight occurrence, behavior, and habitat preferences of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins Tursiops aduncus in Algoa Bay, South Africa.  Intended journal: Marine Mammal Science.

    Dissertations / Thesis:  Click here    

    Selected Popular Articles:  Click here

    Selected Contributions to Workshops and Symposia:   Click here  

   Photo Album   --   under construction

    Marine Mammals

    Spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) -- Hawai'i

    Spinner dolphins (Stenella longirostris) -- East Africa (Zanzibar) 

    Bottlenose dolphins (pelagic Tursiops truncatus) -- East Africa (Pemba Channel)

    Atlantic spotted dolphins (Stenella frontalis) -- The Bahamas

    Pantropical spotted dolphins (Stenella attenuata) -- Mayotte - Comoros

    Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) -- Belize

    Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins (Sousa plumbea) -- South Africa / Mozambique

    Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops aduncus) -- South Africa

Travel and Wildlife Photos  

  Pacific                  Central / South America              Africa 

 Hawai'i                     Belize and Guatemala               South Africa 

 Cook Islands           The Amazon                                Mozambique 

                                   Peru & Machu Picchu                Malawi 

                                                                                        Zimbabwe

                                                                                        Namibia & Etosha

  Indian Ocean                                                             Botswana & Okavango

  Madagascar                                                                Kalahari

  Zanzibar                                                                       Serengeti

  Maldives                                                                       Ngorongoro

© Leszek Karczmarski