DOI: 10.5061/dryad.jdfn2z382
title: Data from: Detecting the population dynamics of an autosomal sex-ratio distorter transgene in malaria vector mosquitoes

description: 1. The development of genetically modified mosquitoes and their subsequent
 field release offers innovative and cost-effective approaches to reduce
 mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria. A sex-distorting autosomal
 transgene has been developed recently in G3 mosquitoes, a lab strain of
 the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae s.l. The transgene expresses an
 endonuclease called I-PpoI during spermatogenesis, which selectively
 cleaves the X chromosome to result in ~95% male progeny. Following the
 World Health Organization Guidance Framework for the testing of
 genetically modified mosquitoes, we assessed the dynamics of this
 transgene in large cages using a joint experimental-modelling approach. 2.
 We performed a four-month experiment in indoor large cages to study the
 population genetics of the transgene. The cages were set up to mimic a
 simple tropical environment with a diurnal light-cycle, constant
 temperature, and constant humidity. We allowed the generations to overlap
 to engender a stable age structure in the populations. We constructed a
 model to mimic the experiments, and used the experimental data to infer
 the key model parameters. 3. We identified two fitness costs associated to
 the transgene. First, transgenic adult males have reduced fertility and,
 second, their female progeny have reduced pupal survival rates. Our
 results demonstrate that the transgene is likely to disappear in less than
 three years under our confined conditions. Model predictions suggest this
 will be true over a wide range of background population sizes and
 transgene introduction rates. 4. Synthesis and applications: Our
 semi-field indoor cage experiments are in line with WHO guidance
 recommendations in regards to the development and testing of self-limiting
 technologies. Since the transgenic strain (Ag(PMB)1) has been considered
 for genetic vector control of malaria, our results are fundamentally
 important for determining expectations on the persistence of the transgene
 post-release. Our results provide a demonstration of the self-limiting
 nature of the transgene, and indicate that longevity will be further
 reduced by fitness costs that were not previously identified. Finally, our
 study has showcased an alternative and effective method for characterising
 the phenotypic expression of a transgene in an insect pest population.
description: In LargeCageType1_rawdata.xlsx file, we
 reported raw data (number of eggs) from large type-1 cages related to
 "Establishment of stable age-distributed wildtype
 populations".
 In LargeCageType2_rawdata.xlsx file, we
 reported raw data (number of eggs, hatching rate, larval mortality, pupal
 mortality,  and frequencies of transgenic pupae among progenies) from
 large type-2 cages related to "Large cage populations comprising both
 wildtype and Ag(PMB)1 mosquitoes".
 In LifeHistoryParameters_rawdata.xlsx file we
 reported raw data (larval mortality, pupal mortality, and adult survival
 in large cage type 2) related to "Additional survival measurements of
 wildtype and Ag(PMB)1 for model parametrization".