Maritza-Sepúlveda-Martínez-bio

Maritza Sepúlveda Martínez

Bióloga Marina (Universidad de Valparaíso, Chile), Doctora en Ciencias Biológicas mención Ecología y Biología Evolutiva, (Universidad de Chile, Chile).

Tiene más de 25 años investigando distintos aspectos de la ecología de mamíferos marinos, incluyendo estudios de ecología trófica, uso de hábitat e interacciones entre estas especies en actividades de pesca y acuicultura. Actualmente desarrolla investigaciones en el ámbito de la especialización trófica de lobos marinos, del uso de hábitat y desplazamientos de fócidos y cetáceos, así como de estudios de abundancia y conducta de mustélidos. Ha dirigido tres tesis doctorales, siete de magister y 25 de pregrado, así como ha supervisado a dos postdoctorantes.

Descripción de los espacios:

Se dispone del laboratorio de Ecología Aplicada, que dispone de todo el instrumental necesario para el procesamiento de muestras.

Proyectos en los que participa:

Proyectos en los que participa relacionados con la ecología:

-2024-2025 Directora Proyecto SAI 23-2022 “Caracterización de Lontra felina (chungungo) en sector norte de puerto San Antonio”

-2024-2025 Co-investigadora proyecto FIC Atacama “Integración de la ciencia y la ciudadanía para el desarrollo del turismo de alta calidad de especies emblemáticas marinas en la Región de Atacama: incorporando herramientas tecnológicas de punta con base científica”.

2024 Co-investigadora Proyecto FIPA 2023-10 “Evaluación y análisis de nuevas tecnologías y/o sistemas para evitar la Interacción con resultado de muerte o daño grave de mamíferos marinos con los centros de acuicultura de salmones”

-2023-2027 Directora Fondecyt Regular Nº1231058 “Ecological factors that determine the incidence, magnitude, and consequence of individual diet specialization in a marine top predator along the Chilean coast”

-2022-2025 Directora proyecto ANILLO ATE220033 Seals as dynamic ocean observers: assessing coastal oceanographic changes in southern Chile with animalborne instruments.

-2022-2025 Co-investigadora Fondecyt 1220962. Mercury speciation and isotopic fingerprint in a marine top predator along a latitudinal gradient: Using the South American sea lion (O. flavescens) as a model for the assessment the effects of pollution and the mercury biomagnification.

-2022-2024 Investigadora principal en proyecto NCN16_034 Núcleo Milenio de Salmones Invasores (INVASAL)

-Centro de Investigación y Gestión de Recursos Naturales (CIGREN) (En curso)

Artículos o investigaciones realizadas:

93. Pavés, H., M. Sepúlveda, F. Goyeneche, M. Espinoza & D. Oliva. 2025. Operational interaction and bycatch of seabirds and marine mammals with the artisanal gillnet fishery in southern Chile. Ocean and Coastal Management 262: 107554. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2025.107554

92. Toro, F., S. Buchan, M. Alvarado-Rybak, L. Bedriñana-Romano, A.M. Garcia-Cegara, R. Hucke-Gaete, C. Olavarria, M. Sepúlveda, B. Galletti-Vernazzani, W. Sielfeld, A. Aguayo, J. Capella, M.J. Perez-Alvarez, F. Viddi, B. Caceres, J. Gibbons, J. Acevedo, H. Guzman, J. Guerra, R. Saez & M. Fishbach. 2025. A call for urgent action to reduce high rates of ship strikes to large whales off Chile. Marine Policy 174: 106577. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpol.2024.106577

91. Apablaza, P., D. Queirolo, M. Sepúlveda & M. Ahumada. 2025. Diving depth of the South American sea lion Otaria flavescens during interactions with the trawl fisheries of central Chile. Marine Mammal Science e13224. https://doi.org/10.1111/mms.13224

90. Guerrero, A., TL. Rogers, C. Barrios-Guzmán, H. Heredia-Azuaje, F. Tala, M. Araya & M. Sepúlveda. 2025. Latitudinal changes of blubber fatty acids in the South American sea lion along the South-East Pacific coast. Marine Environmental Research. In press. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106890

89. Perez-Venegas, D.J., F. Montalva, B.E. Molina-Burgos, G. Chiang, C. Harrod, H. Pavés, M. Sepúlveda & M. Seguel. 2025. Foraging for offspring future: prenatal and postnatal maternal influence shape immunity and survival to parasitism in a top marine predator pups. Ecological and Evolutionary Physiology 97(6): 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1086/733793

88. Barrios-Guzmán, C., H. Pavez, E. Crespo & M. Sepúlveda. 2024. The ethological dimensions of interactions between pinnipeds and fisheries: mitigation measures based on knowledge of animal behavior. ICES Journal of Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.1093/icesjms/fsae145
87. Barrios-Guzmán, C., C. Harrod, A. Guerrero, L. Muñoz, G. Pavez, R. Quiñones, H. Reyes, M. Santos-Carvallo, P. M. Zárate, S.D. Newsome & M. Sepúlveda. 2024. Bottom-up processes drive isotopic variation in the South American sea lion Otaria flavescens across a 2300 km latitudinal gradient. Marine Environmental Research 202: 106732. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106732
86. López-Soto, E; G. Ord, M. Castillo, G. Plaza, M.A. Cáceres, M.T. González, M. Sepúlveda, A.I. Guerrero, A. Piñones & M. Landaeta. 2024. Influence of coastal oceanography on early life history traits of larval Patagonian sprat, Sprattus fuegensis along southeastern Pacific Ocean. Fisheries Oceanography 33(6): e12690. https://doi.org/10.1111/fog.12690.

85. Frantz, B.H, M. Sepúlveda, M. García-Reyes, R. Vega, D.M. Palacios, L. Bedriñana-Romano, L.A. Hückstädt, M. Santos-Carvallo, J.D. Davis & E. Hines. 2024. Combining potential and realized distribution modeling of telemetry data for a bycatch risk assessment. Ecology and Evolution 14(6): 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.11541

84. Schüttler, E., J. Rendoll-Cárcamo, M. Gañan, O. Barroso, T. Contador, D. Illanes, MJ. Palma, MJ. Pérez-Álvarez & M. Sepúlveda. 2024. Observations of Attacks on Sei and Fin Whales by Orcas in Magellanic Sub-Antarctic waters, Chile. Aquatic Mammals 50(4): . https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.50.4.2024.332

83. Vargas, N., M. Sepúlveda & A. Guerrero. 2024. Patterns of surface temperature and link to environmental variables in Weddell seals from the western Antarctic Peninsula. Polar Biology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00300-024-03258-5

82. Heredia-Azuaje H., E. Niklitschek, M. Sepúlveda, C. Harrod, A. Guerrero, G. Peña, B. Pacheco, D. Gomez-Uchida, C. Canales-Aguirre & P. Toledo. 2024. Salmon farming, overfishing and southern sea lion: not so opportunistic responses of a top predator to human perturbations. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2024.108669

81.Suazo, C.G., C. Anguita, J. Ojeda, G. Luna-Jorquera, M. Sepúlveda & O. Yates. 2024. Ecological experiences and perceptions of small-scale gillnet and purse seine fishers on seabirds and other non-target taxa in the Humboldt current system, Chile. Marine Ornithology 52: 27-36. http://doi.org/10.5038/2074-1235.52.1.1556
80. Gutiérrez, E., L. Letelier, M. Santos-Carvallo, F. Barilari, L. Gutiérrez, MJ. Pérez-Alvarez & M. Sepúlveda. 2024. Zoning proposal for a Marine Protected Area in Chile: a conservation tool for large cetaceans. Ocean & Coastal Management 248: 106975. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2023.106975
79. Buchan, S., J. Oyanadel, M. Santos-Carvallo, M. Ramos, L. Bedriñana-Romano, M. Valladares, M. Maldonado, O. Astudillo, M. Sepúlveda, S. Pearce & C. Olavarría. 2024. Understanding the oceanographic dynamics of the Isla Chañaral baleen whale feeding ground, (Humboldt Archipelago, Northern Chile) to extend habitat protection. Frontiers of Marine Science 10:1208262. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1208262

78. García-Reyes, M., W. Sydeman, G. Koval, D. Palacios, L. Bedriñana-Romano, M. Sepúlveda & E. Hines. 2023. Changes in the Sea Surface Temperature “footprint” in Eastern Boundary Upwelling Systems. Frontiers of Marine Science 10:1158472. https://doi.org/ 10.3389/fmars.2023.1158472

77. Lopes, F., L.R. Oliveira, Y. Beuk, A. Kessler, S. Cárdenas-Alayza, P. Majluf, D. Páez-Rosas, J. Chaves, E. Crespo, R.L. Brownell Jr., M. Sepúlveda, V. Franco-Trecu, C. Loch, B.C. Robertson, C.R. Peart, J.B.W. Wolf & S.L. Bonatto. 2023. Genomic evidence for homoploid hybrid speciation in a marine mammal apex predator. Science Advances 9: ead6601. https://doi.org/ 10.1126/sciadv.adf6601

76. Sepúlveda, M., D. Szteren, J. Alfaro-Shigueto, E.A. Crespo, L.R. Durán, A. Guerrero, J.C. Mangel, D. Oliva & L.R. Oliveira. 2023. Sea lion and fur seal interactions with fisheries and aquaculture in South American waters: threats and management perspectives. Mammal Review 53: 116-131. https://doi.org/10.1111/mam.12311

75. Santos-Carvallo, M., F. Toro, M.J. Pérez-Alvarez, M. Sepúlveda & J. González. 2023. Curly tails: Rare occurrence of bent flukes in free-ranging cetaceans. Aquatic Mammals 49(3): 274-281. https://doi.org/10.1578/AM.49.3.2023.274

74. Soto, D., I. Arismendi, J.A. Olivos, C.B. Canales-Aguirre, J. Leon-Muñoz, E.J. Niklitschek, M. Sepúlveda, F. Paredes, D. Gomez-Uchida & Y. Sori-Galvarro. 2023. Multifaceted environmental risk assessment of escapes from intensive aquaculture. Reviews in Aquaculture 15: 198-219. https://doi.org/10.1111/raq.12711

73. Marin, R., J.M. Yañez, S. Musleh, D. Cañas-Rojas, J.C. Quintanilla. S. Contreras-Lynch, G. Gajardo, M Sepúlveda, C. Harrod & D. Gomez-Uchida. 2022. Genetic structure and origin of non-native, free-living Atlantic salmon Salmo salar along a latitudinal gradient in Chile, South America. Aquaculture Environment Interactions 14: 329-342. https://doi.org/10.3354/aei00444

72. Heredia, H., E. Niklitschek & M. Sepúlveda. 2022. Pinnipeds and salmon farming: Threats, conflicts and challenges to co-existence after 50 years of industrial growth and expansion. Reviews in Aquaculture 14: 528-546. https://doi.org/10.1111/raq.12611

71. Siple, M., A.E. Punt, T.B. Francis, P.S. Hammond, D. Heinemann, K.J. Long, J. Moore, M. Sepúlveda, R.R. Reeves, G. Már Sigurosson, G. Vikingsson, P.A. Wade, R. Williams & A.N. Zerbini. 2022. mmrefpoints: Projecting long-term marine mammal abundance with bycatch. The Journal of Open Source Software 7(71): 3888. https://doi.org/10.21105/joss.03888

70. Moore, J.E., D. Heinemann, T.B. Francis, P.S. Hammond, K.J. Long, A.E. Punt, R.R. Reeves, M. Sepúlveda, G. Már Sigurosson, M.C. Siple, G. Vikingsson, P.R. Wade, R. Williams & A.N. Zerbini. 2021. Estimating bycatch mortality for marine mammal stock assessment: concepts and best practices. Frontiers in Marine Science 8: 752356. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.752356

69. Félix, F, J.C. Mangel, J. Alfaro-Shigueto, L.A. Cocas, J. Guerra, M.J. Pérez-Alvarez & M. Sepúlveda. 2021. Challenges and opportunities for the conservation of marine mammals in the Southeast Pacific with the entry into force of the US Marine Mammal Protection Act. Regional Studies in Marine Science 48: 102036. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2021.102036

68. Wade, P.R., K.J. Long, T.B. Francis, A.E. Punt, P.S. Hammond, D. Heinemann, J.E. Moore, R.R. Reeves, M. Sepúlveda, G. Sullaway, G. Már Sigurosson, M.C. Siple, G. Vikingsson, R. Williams & A.N. Zerbini. 2021. Best practices for assessing and managing bycatch of marine mammals. Frontiers in Marine Science. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.757330

67. Urbina, M.A., P.C. Guerrero, V. Jerez, F. Lisón, G. Luna-Jorquera, C. Matus-Olivares, J. C. Ortiz, G. Pavez, M.J. Pérez-Alvarez, R. Riquelme-Bugueño, M. Santos-Carvallo, M. Sepúlveda, P.F. Victoriano & Daniel Gomez-Uchida. 2021. Extractivist policies hurt Chile’s ecosystems. Science (Letter) 373: 1208-1209. https://dir.org/10.1126/science.abm0157

66. Hammond, P.S., TB. Francis, D. Heinemann, K.J. Long, J.E. Moore, A.E. Punt, M. Siple, R.R. Reeves, M. Sepúlveda, G. Már Sigurosson, M.C. Siple, G. Vikingsson, P.R. Wade, R. Williams & A.N. Zerbini. 2021. Estimating the abundance of marine mammal populations. Frontiers in Marine Science 8:735770. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.735770

65. Sanguinetti, M., B. Cid, A. Guerrero, M. Durán, D. Gomez-Uchida & M. Sepúlveda. 2021. An interaction between a native marine top predator and a small-scale fishery of a non-native salmonid: a biological approach and a stakeholder’s perception of the conflict. Scientific Reports 11:14463. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-93675-x

64. Sepúlveda, M., P. Carrasco & R. Quiñones. 2021. Long-term abundance dynamics of the South American sea lion (Otaria flavescens) in the most important breeding colony in central Chile. Austral Ecology 46: 1277-1286. doi:10.1111/aec.13086

63. Pérez-Alvarez, M.J. S. Kraft, N.I. Segovia, C. Olavarría, S. Nigenda-morales, J. Urbán, L. Viloria-Gómora, F. Archer, R. Moraga, M. Sepúlveda, M. Santos-Carvallo, G. Pavez & E. Poulin. 2021. Contrasting phylogeographic patterns among Northern and Southern Hemisphere fin whale populations by new data from Southern Pacific. Frontiers in Marine Science 8:630233. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.630233

62. Cárcamo, D., M. Pizarro, M. Orellana, A. Canto, P. Herrera, L. Muñoz; P. Vásquez, A. Guerrero, M. Sepúlveda; L.R. Durán & D. Oliva. 2021. Long-term monitoring for conservation: closing the distribution gap of Arctocephalus australis in central Chile. BMC Research Notes 14: 1-6. doi:10.1186/s13104-021-05583-y

61. Santos-Carvallo, M., F. Barilari, MJ. Pérez-Alvarez, L. Gutiérrez, G. Pavez, H. Araya, C. Anguita, C. Cerda & M. Sepúlveda. 2021. Impacts of whale-watching on the short-term behavior of fin whales (Balaenoptera physalus) in a Marine Protected Area in the Southeastern Pacific. Frontiers in Marine Science 8:623954. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.623954

60. Guerrero, A.I., T.L. Rogers & M. Sepúlveda. 2021. Conditions influencing the appearance of thermal windows and the distribution of surface temperature in hauled-out southern elephant seals. Conservation Physiology 9: coaa141. https://doi.org/10.1093/conphys/coaa141

59. Lopes, F., L.R. Oliveira, A. Kessler, E. Crespo, S. Cárdenas-Alayza, P. Majluf, M. Sepúlveda, R.L. Brownell Jr., V. Franco-Trecu, D. Páez-Rosas, J. Chaves, C. Loch, B. Robertson, K. Acevedo-Whitehouse, F. Elorriaga-Verplancken, S.P. Kirkman, C.R. Peart, J.B.W. Wolf & S.L. Bonatto. 2021. Phylogenomic Discordance in the Eared Seals is best explained by Incomplete Lineage Sorting following Explosive Radiation in the Southern Hemisphere. Systematic Biology 70: 786-802. doi: 10.1093/sysbio/syaa099

58. Punt, A.E, M. Siple, TB. Francis, P.S. Hammond, D. Heinemann, K.J. Long, J.E. Moore, M. Sepúlveda, RR. Reeves, G. Már Sigurosson, G. Vikingsson, PR. Wade, R. Williams & A.N. Zerbini. 2021. Can we manage marine mammal bycatch effectively in low-data environments. Journal of Applied Ecology 58: 596-607. doi: 10.1111/1365-2664.13816

57. Punt, A.E, M. Sepúlveda, M. Siple, J.E. Moore, TB. Francis, P.S. Hammond, D. Heinemann, K.J. Long, D. Oliva, RR. Reeves, G. Már Sigurosson, G. Vikingsson, PR. Wade, R. Williams & A.N. Zerbini. 2021. Assessing pinniped bycatch mortality with uncertainty in abundance and post-release mortality: a case study from Chile. Fisheries Research 235: 105816. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fishres.2020.105816

56. Cid, B.E., A. Ramirez, M. Sepúlveda & D. Gomez-Uchida. 2021. Invasive chinook salmon in Chile: stakeholder`s perceptions and management conflicts around a new common-use resource. Environmental Management. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00267-021-01528-0