Genetic Survey Research Articles

Genetic Survey of Enteroaggregative E.coli in Diarrheic Children under 5 years in Thi-qar governorate

The study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Enteroaggregative E.coli obtained from children of Thi-qar suffered from diarrhea through PCR detection of virulence factors (aggR, astA, pic) antibiotic resistance and extended spectrum ?-lactamase (ESBL) production. The investigation included collection 430 stool samples from diarrheic children under five years involved both gender and 40 samples as a control from healthy children , were consulted in (Bint al- Huda Hospital for Gynecology obstetrics and pediatrics , Al-Mousawi hospital and private clinics laboratory ) at a period extended from 10th December 2018 -21th July 2019. A total of the isolates were diagnosed by different laboratory and molecular method. PCR diagnosis confirmed the distribution of genes (aggR and astA) within EAEC were (66% and 53%), respectively. The highest resistance to antibiotics was (100%) to ceftazidime and cefpodoxime , (97% ) to ceftriaxone, followed by (96%) for Ampicillin, Sulfa-Trimethoprim and cefuroxime, respectively, and cefixime, amoxiclav, Cefotaxim and Tetracycline (94.8%), (92.3%), (85%) and (78.2%), respectively. While the medium resistance was (55.13%) for each of ciprofloxacin , piperacillin-tazobactam, respectively, and Amikacin (51%). While the lowest resistance was to Gentamicin (30.7%) and Imipenem (26.9%). EAEC isolates were multidrug resistance in average 64/66 (96.97%).

Genetic Diversity of C4 Photosynthesis Pathway Genes in Sorghum bicolor (L.).

C4 photosynthesis has evolved in over 60 different plant taxa and is an excellent example of convergent evolution. Plants using the C4 photosynthetic pathway have an efficiency advantage, particularly in hot and dry environments. They account for 23% of global primary production and include some of our most productive cereals. While previous genetic studies comparing phylogenetically related C3 and C4 species have elucidated the genetic diversity underpinning the C4 photosynthetic pathway, no previous studies have described the genetic diversity of the genes involved in this pathway within a C4 crop species. Enhanced understanding of the allelic diversity and selection signatures of genes in this pathway may present opportunities to improve photosynthetic efficiency, and ultimately yield, by exploiting natural variation. Here, we present the first genetic diversity survey of 8 known C4 gene families in an important C4 crop, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, using sequence data of 48 genotypes covering wild and domesticated sorghum accessions. Average nucleotide diversity of C4 gene families varied more than 20-fold from the NADP-malate dehydrogenase (MDH) gene family (θπ = 0.2 × 10−3) to the pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase (PPDK) gene family (θπ = 5.21 × 10−3). Genetic diversity of C4 genes was reduced by 22.43% in cultivated sorghum compared to wild and weedy sorghum, indicating that the group of wild and weedy sorghum may constitute an untapped reservoir for alleles related to the C4 photosynthetic pathway. A SNP-level analysis identified purifying selection signals on C4 PPDK and carbonic anhydrase (CA) genes, and balancing selection signals on C4 PPDK-regulatory protein (RP) and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) genes. Allelic distribution of these C4 genes was consistent with selection signals detected. A better understanding of the genetic diversity of C4 pathway in sorghum paves the way for mining the natural allelic variation for the improvement of photosynthesis.

Population Genetic and Social Structure Survey of Solenopsis geminata in Thailand.

Fire ants have long been known to be a major pest and have recently attracted renewed widespread attention due to the invasion of Solenopsis species, especially S. invicta, into many countries in Asia and Australia. Here, we surveyed fire ant specimens in Thailand with the aims of studying their colony biology and population structure. We sampled 38 colonies distributed in agricultural and urban areas throughout Thailand for species identification and found that all were S. geminata. We further genotyped 13 microsatellite loci from 576 workers from 23 of these colonies. Analysis of these genetic data revealed that all colonies were polygynous with only a few queens. Queens from the same colonies were highly genetically related. Population structure was partitioned into two clusters. Pairwise F ST values revealed very high genetic differentiation between colonies suggesting low gene flow among populations. This result suggests that queens were locally mated and founded colonies by a budding strategy. Isolation-by-distance among local populations was not significant.

Genetic mapping and survey of powdery mildew resistance in the wild Central Asian ancestor of cultivated grapevines in Central Asia

Cultivated grapevines (Vitis vinifera) lack resistance to powdery mildew (PM) with few exceptions. Resistance to this pathogen within V. vinifera has been reported in earlier studies and identified as the Ren1 locus in two Central Asian table grape accessions. Other PM-resistant cultivated varieties and accessions of the wild ancestor V. vinifera subsp. sylvestris were soon identified raising questions regarding the origin of the resistance. In this study, F1 breeding populations were developed with a PM susceptible V. vinifera subsp. vinifera breeding line and a PM-resistant subsp. sylvestris accession. Genotyping was carried out with five Ren1 locus linked SSR markers. A PM resistance locus explaining up to 96% of the phenotypic variation was identified in the same genomic position, where the Ren1 locus was previously reported. New SSR marker alleles linked with the resistance locus were identified. We report results of PM resistance in multiple accessions of subsp. sylvestris collected as seed lots or cuttings from five countries in the Caucasus and Central Asia. A total of 20 females from 11 seed lots and 19 males from nine seed lots collected from Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan were resistant to PM. Three male and one female plant collected as cuttings from Afghanistan and Iran were also resistant to PM. Allelic analysis of markers linked with the Ren1 locus in conjunction with disease evaluation data found a high diversity of allelic haplotypes, which are only possible via recombination events occurring over a long time period. Sequence analysis of two alleles of the SSR marker that cosegregates with the resistance found SNPs that were present in the wild progenitor and in cultivated forms. Variable levels of PM resistance among the tested accessions were also observed. These lines of evidence suggest that the powdery mildew fungus may have been present in Asia for a longer time than currently thought, giving the wild progenitor V. vinifera subsp. sylvestris time to coevolve with and develop resistance to this pathogen.

European agreements for nature conservation need to explicitly address wolf-dog hybridisation

Hybridisation between wolves and dogs is increasingly reported in Europe. Nonetheless, no systematic survey has ever been attempted at the continental scale. We made the first assessment of wolf-dog hybridisation (WDH) occurrence in Europe and analysed how the phenomenon is addressed by international legislation and managed at the country level. We found that WDH is reported in all nine extant European wolf populations, and in 21 out of 26 countries for which we received information. The two main international legal instruments (i.e., the Habitats Directive and the Bern Convention) do not explicitly mention the threat posed by hybridisation but do provide guidance promoting control of free-ranging wolf-dog hybrids. However, we recorded poor compliance with such recommendations in most European countries, and a lack of coordination in addressing WDH among countries sharing the same wolf population. Alarmingly, we revealed a lack of well-designed and implemented country-wide genetic surveys to detect and monitor hybridisation, both relevant pre-requisites to effectively implement WDH management. By recommending criteria for an operative definition of “hybrid”, we also suggest improvements to enhance WDH-related policy at the European scale.

Breaking ecological barriers: Anthropogenic disturbance leads to habitat transitions, hybridization, and high genetic diversity

Genetic diversity is expected to erode in disturbed habitats through strong selection, local extinctions, and recolonization associated with genetic bottlenecks and restricted gene flow. Despite this general prediction and over three decades of population genetics studies, our understanding of the long-term effect of environmental disturbance on local and regional genetic diversity remains limited. We conducted a population genetic survey of the microcrustacean Daphnia across a landscape subject to anthropogenic stressors from a century of industrial mining. At the local scale we found moderate genetic diversity (i.e., low clonal diversity), characteristic of habitat-specific selective sweeps and local extinctions, but high diversity and strong genetic structure at the regional scale despite the shared watershed of many lakes and exceptional dispersal ability of daphniids. Many habitats experienced changes in species assemblages, with the obligate asexual Daphnia pulex lineages—known only to inhabit ponds—dominating disrupted urban lakes. This habitat transition (pond to lake) was likely facilitated by the disruption of ecological barriers maintaining the genomic separation of these young species. Thus, disrupted habitats can exhibit complex and unexpected genetic patterns of local extinctions and recolonizations, followed by habitat transitions, hybridization and potential speciation events that are difficult to predict and should not be underestimated.

Mitochondrial genetic variation reveals phylogeographic structure and cryptic diversity in Trioza erytreae

Trioza erytreae is the main vector for ‘Candidatus Liberibacter africanus’, the causative agent of African Citrus Greening disease. The insect is widespread in Africa, and has recently disseminated to Southwestern Europe. This study aimed at generating reference mitogenome sequences for T. erytreae, as a background for future genetic diversity surveys. Complete mitochondrial sequences of three specimens collected in Ethiopia, Uganda and South Africa were recovered using Ion Torrent technology. The mitogenomes of T. erytreae from Uganda and Ethiopia were highly similar, and distinct from that found in South Africa. The phylogeographic structure of T. erytreae was assessed using genetic clustering and pairwise distances, based on a dataset of public COI sequences recorded as T. erytreae. The dataset revealed ten haplotypes with strong phylogeographic structure in Africa and Europe. Three haplotypes found in Kenya on Clausena anisata belonged to pairs separated by distances as high as 11.2%, and were basal to all other sequences. These results indicate that not all sequences identified as T. erytreae belong to the same species, and that some degree of specificity with different plant hosts is likely to exist. This study provides new baseline information on the diversity of T. erytreae, with potential implications for the epidemiology of African Citrus Greening disease.

Integrating Multiple Techniques to Estimate Population Size of an Impacted Dusky Dolphin’s Population in Patagonia, Argentina

Successful conservation strategies require an accurate estimation of population size and this parameter is one of the most important factors that determine the rate of various evolutionary processes. In this study we integrated information from genetic, photo-identification and aerial surveys of dusky dolphins to determine the effective population size and the number of dolphins that inhabit the gulfs of Peninsula Valdes (GN and GSJ) and are exposed to tourism vessel traffic. Photo-identification sessions and biopsies samples were collected from a research vessel between 2004 and 2013 to estimate the number of dolphins in the area by capture-recapture methods and the effective population size using mtDNA data. In addition, 4 aerial surveys were carried out using line transects to estimate density via distance sampling. The long-term effective size estimated was 992.87-1103.19 individuals. During the photo-identification period and applying a mark rate of 0.416 the total estimated individuals in GN was 374 (95% CI:237-511). For GSJ the estimated individuals in the area was 55 (95% CI: 2-108, mark rate 0.692). From aerial surveys, the overall density estimate was D =0.13 dolphins/km2 (95% CI: 0.052 - 0.35; CV:49.60). The estimation for GN was 325 (95% CI:130-875), while for GSJ, was 104 (95% CI:42-280) individuals. These are the first estimations of the number and the effective population size for dusky dolphins in a small-scale area along north Patagonia. Dusky dolphins groups are impacted by anthropogenic activities, therefore the information reported here contributes population information to help to the species management and conservation.

Low wolverine (Gulo gulo) density in a national park complex of the Canadian Rocky Mountains

Large carnivores are sensitive to human-caused extirpation due to large home ranges, low population densities, and low reproductive rates. Protected areas help maintain populations by acting as sources, but human-caused mortality, habitat displacement, and edge effects occurring at protected area boundaries may reduce that function. The national parks Banff, Yoho, and Kootenay in the Canadian Rocky Mountains are refugia for large carnivores, including wolverines (Gulo gulo (Linnaeus, 1758)). Despite growing conservation concern, empirical baseline population data for wolverines remain scarce throughout their range, including most of Canada. We hypothesized (i) that in these national parks, wolverine density matched values expected for high-quality habitat, and (ii) that edge effects decreased density towards park boundaries. We conducted systematic non-invasive genetic sampling surveys covering >7000 km2 (2011 and 2013). Using spatial capture–recapture models, we estimated mean (±SE) female (1.5 ± 0.3 and 1.4 ± 0.3 wolverine/1000 km2), male (1.8 ± 0.4 and 1.5 ± 0.3 wolverine/1000 km2), and combined (3.3 ± 0.5 and 3.0 ± 0.4 wolverine/1000 km2) densities for 2011 and 2013, respectively. These estimates were lower than predictions based on density extrapolation from nearby high-quality habitat, and density decreased towards park boundaries. To benefit the population, we recommend creating buffer zones around parks that protect female habitat and prohibit harvest.

Des tests génétiques pour prédire des maladies communes

The genetic tests for "non-rare thrombophilias" (TNR) were introduced into clinical setting immediately after the identification of genetic variants in the mid-90s to predict and prevent venous thromboembolism (VTE). Although being a rare example of a genetic test of susceptibility for complex diseases that has been integrated in medical routine, it is the most widespread post-natal genetics inquiry in France nowadays. Yet, determining whom to test and how to use the results is still controversial. This article outlines the trajectory of its clinical regulation and illustrates the importance of the context of use to understand its diffusion. This analysis is intended to feed a more general reflection on the issues raised by the clinical integration of genetic surveys for common diseases, particularly with regard to the clinical utility of a test (statistical vs. biological), the subjects to be tested (the case index and/or her/his relatives), and the criteria underlying access to these tests (modalities of medico-economic assessment).

Progress of Individualized Chemotherapy for Gastric Carcinoma Under the Guidance of Genetic Testing.

Gastric cancer is a major malignancy that has high incidence rates worldwide. Approximately 30% of patients with gastric cancer have progressed into advanced stages at the time of diagnosis. Chemotherapy is the standard-of-care for most advanced gastric cancer and elicits variable responses among patients. Personalized chemotherapy based on genetic information of individual patients with gastric cancer has gained increasing attention among oncologists for guiding chemotherapeutic regimens. This review summarizes recent progress of individualized chemotherapy in gastric cancer guided by pharmacogenomics. Variable medical research search engines, such as PubMed, Google Scholar, SpringerLink and ScienceDirect, were used to retrieve related literature. Only peerreviewed journal articles were selected for further analyses. The efficiency of chemotherapy in patients with gastric cancer is not only determined by chemotherapeutic drugs but is also directly and indirectly influenced by functionally correlative genes. Individual gene alteration or polymorphism remarkably affects patients' responses to particular chemotherapy. Most studies have focused on the influence of single-gene alteration on a selected drug, and only a few works explored the interaction between therapeutics and a panel of genes. Individualized chemotherapy regimens guided by a genetic survey of a multiple-gene panel are expected to remarkably improve the treatment efficacy in patients with advanced gastric cancer and may become the new standard for personalizing chemotherapy for gastric cancer in the near future.

Contrasting Ozark and Great Lakes populations in the endangered Hines emerald dragonfly (Somatochlora hineana) using ecological, genetic, and phylogeographic analyses

AbstractThe federally endangered species Hine's emerald dragonfly (Somatochlora hineana) is found in fens surrounding the Great Lakes region and in a small portion of the Missouri Ozarks. Most previous work has focused on the populations in the Great Lakes region. We present mark/recapture studies and genetic surveys to address the status of the Ozark populations. The densities and genetic diversity tend to be higher in the Ozarks than in the Great Lakes region. A phylogeographic analysis indicates that the Ozarks, with its unglaciated fens, is the likely source for the populations currently inhabiting the formerly glaciated Great Lakes region, and genetic diversity decreases with increasing distance from the Ozarks. This work illustrates the inadequacy of using geography alone to identify a population as marginal and of less conservation concern. We also reanalyzed genetic data on the Great Lakes populations, where several populations have been extirpated over the last several decades. We show that the populations in the Great Lakes region have already lost more than 30% of their genetic diversity over just several decades, and the phylogeographic analysis indicates that increased fragmentation is a possibility in this region due to local extirpations. Ecologically and genetically, the Ozark populations should have a high priority in management plans, and the high rate of loss of genetic diversity and potential fragmentation indicates that continued monitoring and management is needed in the Great Lakes region for this highly endangered dragonfly.

Modern concepts of intervertebral disc degeneration

The widespread prevalence of degenerative spine diseases and achievements in the treatment of these lesions have not yet led to an answer the main question: «What is the etiology of spine degeneration?» Treatment will remain symptomatic if primary cause of disease will be unclear. However, improvement of genetic and molecular survey gradually clarifies the mechanisms underlying degenerative processes. The latest knowledge in regenerative medicine seem promising. Nevertheless, further advances in understanding the fundamental processes in human organism are followed by additional questions and unsolved problems. The authors analyzed the best-studied modern theories of degeneration in this brief review devoted to current concepts of intervertebral disc degeneration.

Environmental Factors Affecting Genetic Variation in Coarse-Wool Sheep

Economic activities of the population living in the rural areas of the world is 70% dependent on traditional livestock production systems based on indigenous breeds. Consequently, it is very important to protect and preserve the heritage breeds of animals resistant to any diseases and better adapted to the changing environmental conditions. The effects of the natural environmental factors on the formation of the genetic structure in 24 coarse-wool breeds of sheep reared in nine countries of Europe and Asia have been studied. Genetic surveys of 20 microsatellite loci were carried out. The most significant environmental factors causing the genetic variation in the analyzed sheep breeds turned out to be the geographical latitude and the annual mean temperature. The genetic variation in the coarse-wool sheep breeds was generally higher at low geographical latitudes, which corresponds to the data obtained for the other animal species. Therefore, the protection of animal populations inhabiting the areas at the low geographical latitudes can contribute to a higher intraspecific diversity than the protection of the same number of populations distributed in the high latitude ranges. This fact should be especially considered when planning the programs to preserve the biodiversity of animals since the breeds of sheep reared near the centers of animal domestication have a higher genetic variation. Hence, they can serve as the source of genes contributing to adaptation under the conditions of global climate change.

Genetic factors affecting genetic variance in coarse-wool sheep

The life activity of the rural population in the world is 70% dependent on the traditional animal farming systems based on the domestic livestock breeds. Consequently, it is very important to preserve and enhance the local breeds of animals resistant to any diseases and better adapted to the changing environmental conditions. The environmental factors affecting the genetic structure in 24 coarse-wool breeds of sheep reared in 9 countries of Europe and Asia have been studied. The genetic surveys of twenty microsatellite loci were carried out. The most significant environmental factors causing the genetic variance in the analyzed sheep breeds appeared to be the geographical latitude and the annual mean temperature. The genetic variance of the coarse-wool sheep breeds was generally higher at low geographical latitudes, which corresponds to the data obtained for the other vertebral species. Therefore, the protection of sheep populations inhabiting the areas at the low geographical latitudes can better maintain the intraspecific diversity. This fact should be especially considered when planning the programs to conserve the biodiversity of farm animals. The breeds of sheep reared near the centers of domestication are distributed in the low latitude ranges. They have a higher genetic variance. Therefore, they can serve as the source of genes contributing to adaptation under the conditions of global climate change.

African American mothers' attitudes towards genetic testing in the InterGEN study.

The paucity of representation of people of color, particularly those of African ancestry, is a major issue in contemporary omics research. Metadata summarizing genome-wide association studies from 2005 to 2015 suggest that nearly 80% of participants are of European ancestry and only 2.4% are of African ancestry. Negative attitude towards genetic testing is a commonly cited belief as to why there is low representation of Americans of African ancestry participating in genetic studies. Using the attitudes towards genetic testing survey, administered as part of our parent (epi)genome-wide association study, we characterized the perceptions of genetic research among our cohort of African ancestry women (n = 168). Our data show generally favorable perceptions of genetic testing among our cohort. Further, we demonstrate that more favorable attitudes towards genetic testing correlated with higher levels of income, even when accounting for commonly cited negative predictors such as maternal age, education, country of origin, and religion. Overall, our data characterize generally positive perceptions of genetic testing among women of African ancestry.

Senecio spp. transboundary introduction and expansion affecting cattle in Uruguay: Clinico-pathological, epidemiological and genetic survey, and experimental intoxication with Senecio oxyphyllus

The genus Senecio is distributed worldwide, being responsible of poisoning in livestock and humans. Many species of Senecio have high invasion and expansion capacity, highly competitive with agricultural and native plant species, causing ecological damage. Particularly in Uruguay, poisoning by Senecio have grown exponentially to reach epidemic proportions. Herein we describe Seneciosis as a re-emerging and expanding epidemic disease affecting cattle, by describing clinico-pathological, epidemiological and genetic variation of species involved, as well as an experimental intoxication with Senecio oxyphyllus. For this, a study was carried out on 28 cattle farms in Eastern Uruguay, with history of seneciosis from 2010 to 2016. Plants of fifty populations of Senecio were sampled, in 2015 and 2016, for identification, analysis of alkaloids and study of genetic variation. In turn, post-mortem examination was performed in cattle of natural and an experimental case to confirm the intoxication, showing microscopic characteristic lesions (hepatomegalocytosis, diffuse fibrosis and ductal reaction). Four species of Senecio were identified: S. oxyphyllus, S. madagascariensis, S. selloi and S. brasiliensis. In the genetic study, 489 molecular markers of amplified sequence-related polymorphisms (SRAP), associated with species and pasture, were used for genetic variation analysis. There was no statistically significant association between genetic variation determined by molecular markers and population (specimens of same species collected from the same farm), botanically determined species, or geographical origin. The increase of seneciosis in cattle in the last years, the presence of species not identified to the moment with implication in the poisoning outbreaks and expansion of these plants shows that the disease is in an epidemic growing active stage. In turn, the experimental poisoning with S. oxyphyllus confirms its chronic hepatotoxic effect, being an emergent species for the region, of high distribution and toxic risk. This latter turned out the main Senecio species involved. This case of expansion of harmful plant for animal production and desirable plant species, can be useful as a model of ecopathological characterization, which is likely to occur with other toxic plants in different geographical ranges globally.

Genetic diversity of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) throughout West Africa

Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) is a globally significant aquaculture species rapidly gaining status as a farmed commodity. In West Africa, wild Nile tilapia genetic resources are abundant yet knowledge of fine-scale population structure and patterns of natural genetic variation are limited. Coinciding with this is a burgeoning growth in tilapia aquaculture in Ghana and other countries within the region underpinned by locally available genetic resources. Using 192 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) markers this study conducted a genetic survey of Nile tilapia throughout West Africa, sampling 23 wild populations across eight countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Mali, Gambia and Senegal), representing the major catchments of the Volta, Niger, Senegal and Gambia River basins. A pattern of isolation-by-distance and significant spatial genetic structure was identified throughout West Africa (Global FST = 0.144), which largely corresponds to major river basins and, to a lesser extent, sub-basins. Two populations from the Gambia River (Kudang and Walekounda), one from the western Niger River (Lake Sélingué) and one from the upper Red Volta River (Kongoussi) showed markedly lower levels of diversity and high genetic differentiation compared to all other populations, suggesting genetically isolated populations occurring across the region. Genetic structure within the Volta Basin did not always follow the pattern expected for sub-river basins. This study identifies clear genetic structuring and differentiation amongst West African Nile tilapia populations, which concur with broad patterns found in previous studies. In addition, we provide new evidence for fine-scale genetic structuring within the Volta Basin and previously unidentified genetic differences of populations in Gambia. The 192 SNP marker suite used in this study is a useful tool for differentiating tilapia populations and we recommend incorporating this marker suite into future population screening of O. niloticus. Our results form the basis of a solid platform for future research on wild tilapia genetic resources in West Africa, and the identification of potentially valuable germplasm for use in ongoing breeding programs for aquaculture.

Advances in genome-wide association studies of complex traits in rice.

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS), genetic surveys of the whole genome to detect variants associated with a trait in natural populations, are a powerful approach for dissecting complex traits. This genetic mapping approach has been applied in rice over the last 10years. During the last decade, GWAS was used to identify the loci underlying tens of rice traits, and several important genes were detected in GWAS and further confirmed in follow-up functional experiments. In this review, we present an overview of the whole process in a typical GWAS, including population design, genotyping, phenotyping and analysis methods. Recent advances in rice GWAS are also provided, including several examples of the functional characterization of candidate genes. The possible breakthroughs of rice GWAS in the next decade are discussed with regard to their application in breeding, the consideration of epistatic interactions and in-depth functional annotations of DNA elements and genetic variants throughout the rice genome.

Genetic and biophysical modelling evidence of generational connectivity in the intensively exploited, Western North Atlantic red grouper (Epinephelus morio)

AbstractUnderstanding the connectivity of reef organisms is important to assist in the conservation of biological diversity and to facilitate sustainable fisheries in these ecosystems. Common methods to assess reef connectivity include both population genetics and biophysical modelling. Individually, these techniques can offer insight into population structure; however, the information acquired by any singular analysis is often subject to limitations, underscoring the need for a multi-faceted approach. To assess the connectivity dynamics of the red grouper (Epinephelus morio), an economically important reef fish species found throughout the Gulf of Mexico and USA western Atlantic, we utilized two sets of genetic markers (12 microsatellite loci and 632 single nucleotide polymorphisms) to resolve this species’ population genetic structure, along with biophysical modelling to deliver a spatial forecast of potential larval “sources” and “sinks” across these same regions and spatial scale. Our genetic survey indicates little, if any, evidence of population genetic structure and modelling efforts indicate the potential for ecological connectivity between sampled regions over multiple generations. We offer that using a dual empirical and theoretical approach lessens the error associated with the use of any single method and provides an important step towards the validation of either of these methodologies.