Research Interests

Grey seal "hauled out" on a ledge off Duck Island

Behavioral ecology of harbor and grey seals. This research takes place in the Isles of Shoals (predominately on Appledore and Duck Islands) located off the coast of the New Hampshire/Maine border.  There are several goals of this research: 1) understanding usage patterns of haul-out sites (e.g. specific ledges) for each seal species; 2) determining whether courtship of harbor seals is occurring at the islands; 3) examining behavioral interactions between the two seal species; 4) assessing impacts of human activity (e.g. boat traffic) on seals located on and around Duck Island. 

Student opportunities: Although summer field work is encouraged for students interested in this research, alternative lab-based studies examining the above topics can be explored (see me for more details!).    

This research has been supported in part by the Research Experience for Undergraduates program at Shoals Marine Laboratory.

Female pink-belly wrasse displaying red belly coloration (Okinawa, Japan)

photo by L. LaPlante

Reproductive behavior in coral reef fishes. The pink-belly wrasse (Halichoeres margaritaceus) occurs in shallow waters throughout the Indo-Pacific oceans. I investigated factors that lead to variation in mating signals displayed by female pink-belly wrasses. The intensity of mating signals displayed by females appears to be influenced by the size of the social group, geographical location, and possibly predator abundance.

Active Research Projects

Grey seal "hauled out" on a ledge off Duck Island

Haul out patterns of grey and harbor seals. This study looks at differences in haul out behaviors of grey and harbor seals on and around Duck Island. Hauling out allows seals to rest, raise their body temperature, and is essential for nursing pups. Both grey and harbor seals haul out in a pattern that is correlated to daily tidal cycles. One major difference is that haul out behavior occurs over a shorter period for grey seals than harbor seals. Future student research may investigate reasons for this difference between the two species. Although summer field work is encouraged for students interested in this research, alternative lab-based projects can be explored (see me for more details!).

This research has been supported in part by the Research Experience for Undergraduates program at Shoals Marine Laboratory.

Grey and harbor seals "flushing"

The impact of vessel traffic on seal haul out behavior. Vessels traveling close to seal haul-out sites often cause stress in hauled out seals. An extreme stress response is "flushing", when seals leave their haul out site and return to the water. The Isles of Shoals is only 9 miles from shore and is a destination for many vessels including lobster boats, kayaks, sail boats, dive boats, fishing boats, and "seal-watching" boats. Future student research may examine the relative impact of different vessels on seal behavior. Although summer field work is encouraged for students interested in this research, alternative lab-based projects may be explored (see me for more details!).

This research has been supported in part by the Research Experience for Undergraduates program at Shoals Marine Laboratory.