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The population genetics and gene editing of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in South Africa
Dissertation (MSc (Genetics))--University of Pretoria
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
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University of Pretoria
2025
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| _version_ | 1867613671846313984 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Slippers, Bernard
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| author_browse | Slippers, Bernard
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| author_facet | Slippers, Bernard
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| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2023 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Dissertation (MSc (Genetics))--University of Pretoria |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/101091 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:39:51.634Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2025 |
| publishDateRange | 2025 |
| publishDateSort | 2025 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/101091 The population genetics and gene editing of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in South Africa Slippers, Bernard matthew.jackson@up.ac.za Hurley, Brett P. Kruger, Kerstin Jackson, Matthew Nicholas UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Population genetics Gene editing Spodoptera frugiperda Bt resistance CRISPR/Cas9 Dissertation (MSc (Genetics))--University of Pretoria The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, is invasive polyphagous pest native to the Americas, which has become invasive to Africa and rapidly spread across sub- Saharan Africa since it was first reported in West Africa in 2016. This dissertation explores aspects of S. frugiperda biology, population genetics, the application of gene editing tools, and strategies to manage resistance to Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) toxins in agricultural systems, with a focus on the African context. The research presented reports on the populations genetics of S. frugiperda in South Africa, using mitochondrial COI sequences and five microsatellite markers. The study reveals high genetic diversity, extensive gene flow, and a lack of population structure across Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal provinces. The findings underscore the extensive migratory behaviour of S. frugiperda and the potential for rapid dissemination of traits such as Bt resistance across maize-producing regions. The study highlights the utility of employing both mitochondrial and microsatellite markers in population genetics analyses and provides valuable insights in S. frugiperda population dynamics in South Africa, which will inform the implementation of effective management strategies. The study furthermore outlines the design and in vitro testing of single-guide RNAs (sgRNAs) for CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing in S. frugiperda. Targeting three marker genes (SfAbd, BLOS2, and ebony) the study successfully demonstrates the cleavage efficiency of sgRNAs for SfAbd and BLOS2, justifying the use of CRISPR/Cas9 in this species. This proof-of-concept study establishes the foundation for future research into understanding the genetic mechanisms underlying Bt resistance and the potential use of CRISPR-based approaches, including gene drives, to enhance pest management strategies in South African agriculture. Forestry and Agricultural Biotechnology Institute (FABI) MSc (Genetics) Restricted Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences None 2025-02-20T12:07:28Z 2025-02-20T12:07:28Z 2025-05-08 2024-11-29 Dissertation * A2025 http://hdl.handle.net/2263/101091 10.25403/UPresearchdata.28450436 en © 2023 University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Population genetics Gene editing Spodoptera frugiperda Bt resistance CRISPR/Cas9 The population genetics and gene editing of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in South Africa |
| title | The population genetics and gene editing of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in South Africa |
| title_full | The population genetics and gene editing of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in South Africa |
| title_fullStr | The population genetics and gene editing of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | The population genetics and gene editing of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in South Africa |
| title_short | The population genetics and gene editing of Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) in South Africa |
| title_sort | population genetics and gene editing of spodoptera frugiperda lepidoptera noctuidae in south africa |
| topic | UCTD Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Population genetics Gene editing Spodoptera frugiperda Bt resistance CRISPR/Cas9 |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/101091 |