Next-generation genetic sexing strain establishment in the agricultural pest Ceratitis capitata
Davydova S, Liu J, Kandul NP, Braswell WE, Akbari OS, Meccariello A.
10.1101/2023.09.29.560088Abstract
Tephritid fruit fly pests pose an increasing threat to the agricultural industry due to their global dispersion and a highly invasive nature. Here we showcase the feasibility of an early-detection SEPARATOR sex sorting approach through using the non-model Tephritid pest, Ceratitis capitata . This system relies on female-only fluorescent marker expression, accomplished through the use of a sex-specific intron of the highly-conserved transformer gene from C. capitata and Anastrepha ludens . The herein characterized strains have 100% desired phenotype outcomes, allowing accurate male-female separation during early development. Overall, we describe an antibiotic and temperature-independent sex-sorting system in C. capitata , which, moving forward, may be implemented in other non-model Tephritid pest species. This strategy can facilitate the establishment of genetic sexing systems with endogenous elements exclusively, which, on a wider scale, can improve pest population control strategies like sterile insect technique.
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Next-generation genetic sexing strain establishment in the agricultural pest Ceratitis capitata. · DOI 10.1038/s41598-023-47276-5