Evaluation of horizontal gene transfer risk between the Mediterranean fruit fly Ceratitis capitata (Tephritidae) and its parasitoid Fopius ceratitivorus (Braconidae).

Edwin Ramírez-Santos,Pedro Rendón,Jorge Toledo,Asya Targovska,Pablo Liedo,Carlos Cáceres,Marc F Schetelig,Griselda K Guillén-Navarro,Lorena Ruiz-Montoya,Tanja Rehling,Kostas Bourtzis,Nikos T Papadopoulos

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0207999

Edwin Ramírez-Santos, Pedro Rendón + Show 10 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0207999

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Abstract

The transgenic strain of the Mediterranean fruit fly (medfly), Ceratitis capitata (Wied.) VIENNA 8 1260, developed from the classical genetic sexing strain VIENNA 8, has two molecular markers that exhibit red fluorescence in the body and green fluorescence in testicles and sperm. These traits offer a precise tool to discriminate between mass-reared sterile males and wild fertile males, and they could potentially increase the effectiveness of control programs for this pest. To assess the risk of horizontal transfer of the fluorescence transgenes in natural ecosystems, we used the VIENNA 8 1260 strain and the medfly parasitoid Fopius ceratitivorus. The fluorescence signal and the inheritance of the fluorescence gene markers were monitored for over 16 generations (about two years) in both species using fluorescence microscopy and a PCR-based assay. The PCR analysis was performed in four independent laboratories. Both fluorescence microscopy and PCR analysis indicated that no horizontal gene transfer of the DsRed transgene occurred during 16 generations of medfly parasitoid rearing under experimental conditions.

Highlights

The order Diptera, which includes mosquitoes and fruit flies, harbours several invasive insect species that can have a negative impact on agriculture and human health [1]
PCR analysis performed at the Agroecological and Environmental Biotechnology laboratory (LaBTAA) of El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR), Unidad Tapachula (Mexico) indicated the presence of the DsRed fluorescence marker gene in all VIENNA 8 1260 adults analyzed at generations G0, G11, G12 (Fig 1A), G14 (Fig 1B) and G16
No horizontal gene transfer of the DsRed transgene was detected for 16 generations under the experimental conditions of this study

Summary

Introduction

The order Diptera, which includes mosquitoes and fruit flies, harbours several invasive insect species that can have a negative impact on agriculture and human health [1]. The distribution of invasive mosquito and fruit fly species is favored by factors such as global climate change [2], growing international trade [3] and increasingly vulnerable zones that promote pest establishment [4,5,6]. Countries and regional organizations establish control programs to eradicate them or prevent. Horizontal gene transfer risk assessment between medfly and its parasitoid There was no additional external funding received for this study

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