Chavez, Aline TrejoO’Leary, ShannonCotton, CharlesMurwawski, StevePortnoy, David S.2022-05-092022-05-092022-04https://hdl.handle.net/1969.6/90570The king snake eel (Ophichthus rex), is a large, long-lived demersal predator and their distribution is limited to the Gulf of Mexico (GoM). King snake eels, like other ophichthids are data deficient, little is known about the O. rex biology. Eels were sampled throughout GoM (2011-17); eel tissues were prepared for sequencing using new molecular techniques resulting in robust ddRADseq SNP libraries. Genetic differentiation was estimated and new multidisciplinary approaches were used to explore large and fine-scale patterns of observed genetic connectivity. Previous studies of genetic connectivity in the Gulf of Mexico, have been limited to a few commercially important species and have been spatially limited to northern GoM (US). This study is unique, as it encompasses the entire species distribution and utilizes Gulf-wide fisheries-independent survey data (GoMRI 2011-2017). In this study we present evidence of large-scale population structure as reported in previous GoM connectivity studies and discuss potential drivers of fine-scale differentiation patterns within and among populations. Finally, this study explores potential implications for other fisheries- affected species and increases overall understanding of the underlying biology that drives observed patterns of genetic connectivity.en-USgene flownext generation sequencinganguilliformesfisheries managementconnectivityPresentation