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The Center for the Study of Pinniped Ecology and Cognition

Psychology Department

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Image of C-SPEC Lab LogoThe Center for the Study of Pinniped Ecology and Cognition (C-SPEC)

The Center for the Study of Pinniped Ecology and Cognition investigates the habitat and behavior of pinnipeds (seals, sea lions, and walrus). While there are a broad range of topics that we are interested in, the Center primarily focuses on two main lines of scientific inquiry – one line involves questions of cognition (i.e., reasoning and problem solving) in sea lions, and the other involves wild seal behavior and demographics in natural and urban ecosystems.

C-SPEC seeks to educate, engage, and serve researchers, students, and the local community on aspects such as human-animal interactions, pinniped communication, habitat conservation, and ecotourism. We are committed to engaging in science education and collaborative projects that foster intellectual growth and providing opportunities for students to participate in rigorous research. The Center is interdisciplinary and collaborative in its approach, seeking to engage with experts and laymen alike at the intersection of psychology and biology. 

Ongoing projects include:

  • Field Studies with Local Harbor Seals: This branch of C-SPEC's research program consists of field observations in order to study local seal demographics and behavior in the NYC area. In particular, there are select locations of Long Island and New York City, in which Harbor seals (Phoca vitulina), grey seals (Halichoerus grypus), and hooded seals (Csytophora cristata) are local wildlife attractions during the winter months. Due to the public interest in these species, and the growing human population with its consequent development of shared habitats, it is becoming increasingly critical to understand the relationship between humans and these seal species. The research in this area is a first step towards investigating the population distribution of these species in the area. Even though there have been collections of general population data over the years, no one has evaluated either a historically accurate or continuously updated count of NYC seal populations. We have been using behavioral observations to collect data on seal demographics which will allow us to add to the current knowledge base by collating research with historical population records and to update the current population data, especially in the NYC area – as these numbers are the least understood and documentation has been very limited. A historically sound and progressively mindful data collection process affords us a greater understanding of local wildlife and allows us to better understand the impact that humans have on these animals.
  • Laboratory work with California Sea Lions: This research involves the study of learning and habitat use. For example, we have explored how physical objects in the world are mentally represented. Many objects in the world are represented in different ways, such as through symbols (e.g., language – both written and verbal/gestural), and pictures/photographs. How one transforms a stimulus from the physical world into a mental representation and how we can use multiple items with varying physical properties to represent the same item has been an enduring and expanding area of interest in many scientific fields. The question of whether these transformations are learned over time, or if it is an automatic cognitive process, does not currently have an adequate answer. The process appears to be effortless but often in science we find that the processes that occur most easily are in fact the most complicated. The research in this area adds to the current knowledge base on concept learning and object representation by investigating how nonhumans represent stimuli across different mediums. Another line or with carried out at the Long Island Aquarium utilizes videos of the seals and sea lions in their habitats and seeks to better understand their use of the habitat and behavior in the presence and absence of patrons. The research has shown that the animals’ behavioral patterns match those of their wild counterparts and are not negatively influenced by aquarium visitors.
  • Conservation/Education: Education plays an important role in the success of conservation efforts. We aim to impart knowledge to the public on the conservation of local species, and to make the community aware of local wildlife. In addition to an online platform, we work to reach the public through workshops, guest lectures, and outreach programs.
Image of Marist Professor, Kristy Biolsi

Meet the C-SPEC Director

Dr. Kristy Biolsi is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology. She earned her B.S. in Psychobiology from Long Island University, Southampton College, and her PhD in Cognitive Psychology from the University of California, Santa Cruz. She has held faculty positions at Cabrillo Community College, the University of California at Santa Cruz (UCSC), and St. Francis College. She serves on the editorial board for the Journal of the Association for the Study of Ethical Behavior and Evolutionary Biology in Literature (ASEBL) and serves as a co-editor for the journal Aquatic Mammals. Her research focus is on marine mammal behavior and cognition, with an emphasis on species ecology and natural history. She is the co-founder and Director of the Center for the Study of Pinniped Ecology and Cognition (C-SPEC).

Learn More About Dr. Biolsi

C-SPEC Lab Resources, Publications, and Presentations

Long Island Aquarium: https://www.longislandaquarium.com/

The Maritime Aquarium https://www.maritimeaquarium.org/

Northwest Atlantic Seal Research Consortium (NASRC): https://www.sealconsortium.org/

Coastal Research and Education Society of Long Island (CRESLI): https://cresli.org

Atlantic Marine Conservation Society: https://www.amseas.org/

Pinniped Cognition & Sensory Systems Lab at UCSC: https://pinnipedlab.ucsc.edu

NY Marine Rescue Foundation: https://nymarinerescue.org/

 

Biolsi, K.L., Woo, K.L., & Kils, B. (2024). Seals and Society: Considerations for Urban Waterway Navigation by Harbor Seals (Phoca vitulina) and Gray Seals (Halichoerus grypus) in New York City. Cities and the Environment (CATE), 17(2) Article 4. doi: 10.15365/cate.2024.170204

Nolan, K.A., Wydner, K., Biolsi, K., & Burdowski, A. (2023). Recording animal vocalizations at the San Diego Zoo: Animal vocalizations IV. Article 2024 In: Boone E & Thuecks S, (Eds). Advances in biology laboratory education, 44. 1-13.

De Vreese, S., Sørensen, K., Biolsi, K., Fasick, J., Reidenberg, J., Hanke, F. (2023). Open questions in marine mammal sensory research (Report of the 2022 workshop "Marine mammal sensory systems: recent advances and emerging technologie" held at the 24th Biennial Conference of the Society for Marine Mammology in Palm Beach, USA, 2022)

Louong, V., Woo, K. L. Biolsi, K. L., Pradhakrishna, P., & Kils, B. (2023). Directional orientation of harbor (Phoca vituline vitulina) and gray (Halichoerus grypus atlantica) seals at haul out locations in New York City. Aquatic Mammals, 49(4).

Biolsi, K. L., & Woo, K. L. (2022). Equivalence classification, learning by exclusion, and long- term memory in pinnipeds: cognitive mechanisms demonstrated through research with subjects under human care and in the field. Animal Cognition, 25(5), 1077-1090.

Hanke, F.D., Biolsi, K.L. & Harley, H.E. (2022). Cognition in marine mammals: the strength of flexibility in adapting to marine life. Animal Cognition 25, 1015–1018 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10071-022-01681-x

Biolsi, K.L.; Woo, K.L., & Kils, B. (2024). Seals and Society: Considerations for Urban Waterway Navigation by Harbor Seals (Phoca vitulina) and Gray Seals (Halichoerus grypus) in New York City. Cities and the Environment (CATE), 17(2) Article 4. DOI: 10.15365/cate.2024.170204

Biolsi, K. L., & Nolan, K. A. (2021). Thoughts on marine mammal cognition & consciousness. ASEBL Journal,15, 27-28.

Woo, K.L. & Biolsi, K.L. (2018). In situ observations of pinnipeds in New York City, 2011- 2017, Aquatic Mammals. 44(3), 244-249. doi: 10.1578/AM.44.3.2018.244

Biolsi, K. L. (2017). Pinniped: Life History. In J. Vonk & T. Shackelford (Eds.). Encyclopedia of Animal Cognition and Behavior, (pp.1-16). Springer International Publishers. doi:10.1007/978-3-319-47829-6_942-1

Digby, J., Nolan, K., & Biolsi, K. (2016). Immersion in Nature —Quite Literally, Partners in the Parks: US Virgin Islands. In H.Thiessen-Reilly & J. Digby (Eds.) Partners in the Parks: Field Guide to an Experimental Program in the National Parks. Second Edition (pp.79-88). National Collegiate Honors Council: Lincoln, NE.

Lindemann-Biolsi, K.L. (2014). Sea lions and honors students: More in common than you might think, Honors in Practice: National Collegiate Honors Council, 10,71-80.

Lindemann-Biolsi, K. & Reichmuth, C. (2014). Cross-modal transitivity in a California sea lion. Animal Cognition, 17(4), 879-890. doi: 10.1007/s10071-013-0721-0

Lindemann-Biolsi, K., (2013). What does it mean to be a moral animal?. Association for the Study of Ethical Behavior and Evolutionary Biology in Literature (ASEBL).

Lindemann-Biolsi, K. L., & Paparo, C. H. (2013). Can you recognize this? Transfer from objects to pictures using a simple discrimination task with California sea lions (Zalophus californianus). Soundings, 3, 18-21.
 

(* Denotes Student Presenter)

Biolsi, K. L. & Woo, K. L. (2025, talk). Can You Remember Me? Cognitive Employment for Individual Recognition and Memory in Pinnipeds. Brain Awareness Week, SUNY Empire State University.

Biolsi, K. L. (2025, talk) Can you remember me? Investigating Individual Recognition and Memory in Sea Lions. Columbia University Seminars, Population Biology at Columbia University. New York, NY.

*Rose, N., *Alvey, V., & Biolsi, K.L. (2025, poster). Behavioral Observations of Seals in Human Care: Connections to Their Wild Conspecifics. Celebration of Undergraduate Research, Scholarship & Creative Activity (CURSCA). Marist University, Poughkeepsie, NY.

Biolsi, K. L. (2025, talk). Long-Term Memory in California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus). Eastern Psychological Association, New York, NY.

Biolsi, K. L. (2024, panel). Society for Women in Marine Science Symposium (SWMS). (November, 15-17). Panel: Academic Research II. SUNY Stoneybrook University, New York.

Biolsi, K. L. (2024, poster). Urban Waterway Usage by harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and gray seals (Halichoerus grypus). Symposium on Women in Marine Science, SUNY Stonybrook University. NY

Biolsi, K.L. & Paparo, C. (2024, talk). Long-Term Memory in California Sea Lions (Zalophus californianus). Greater New York Conference on Behavioral Research. Brooklyn, NY.

*Castro Rivero, K. & Biolsi, K.L. (2024, talk). Considerations for Harbor Seals (Phoca vitulina): Usage of waterways in NYC. Greater New York Conference on Behavioral Research. Brooklyn, NY.

*Meza- Prudencio, F., & Biolsi, K.L. (2024, poster). What Role do ‘Sea Lion Shows’ Have in Promoting Pinniped Conservation?. Student Conference for Conservation Science, American Museum of Natural History. New York, NY.

Castro-Rivero, K., & Biolsi, K.L. (2024, poster). Conservation Considerations: Urban Waterway Usage by harbor seals (Phoca vitulina) and gray seals (Halichoerus grypus) in New York City.
Student Conference for Conservation Science, American Museum of Natural History. New York, NY

*McKenzie, K., *Castro, K., Biolsi, K. L., & Woo, K. L. (2023, poster). Population dynamics and social behavior of harbor and gray seals in New York City: Negotiating the challenges of an urban environment. STEM Resource Center at St. Francis College. Brooklyn, NY

*Castro, K., *McKenzie, K., Biolsi, K.L., & Woo, K.L. (2023, talk). Observations of pinniped in New York City. SUNY Undergraduate Research Conference. SUNY Maritime College.

Biolsi, K.L., *Azaah, A., & Izzo-McDonald, N. (2019, poster). Do pinnipeds exhibit a gravity bias?: Investigations in the California sea lion (Zalophus califiornianus). Annual International Conference on Comparative Cognition. Melbourne Beach, FL.

**Trifone, L.E., Woo, K.L., Biolsi, K.L., Izzo-McDonald, N., Paparo, C. (2019, poster). Human presence and their activities do not influence behavioral responses in captive harbor seals (Phoca vitulina). SUNY Undergraduate Research Conference (SURC). SUNY Farmingdale, Farmingdale, NY.

*Generoso, D., *Neal, A., Biolsi, K.L., Woo, K.L. & Paparo, C. (2018, talk). Behavioral ethograms of pinnipeds in human care. Greater New York Conference on Behavioral Research, Fordham University, New York, NY.

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