Y-linked editors for invasive rodent control

Invasive rodents are major contributors to biodiversity loss, particularly on islands where native species have evolved in their absence. Genetic biocontrol offers a promising suite of species-specific technologies that may contribute to rodent suppression and elimination. Here, we evaluate the potential of Y-linked genome editors (YLEs), which contain a nuclease that disrupts a female-essential fertility or viability gene, to suppress or eliminate a mouse population on a small, isolated island. We use the MouseGD simulation framework to model the inheritance patterns of YLEs and other genetic biocontrol tools in the context of rodent life history, calculating elimination probabilities, times to elimination and other outcomes for a range of construct and release parameters. Simulations suggest that YLEs are more efficient than other self-limiting tools, and are capable of achieving elimination within a short timeframe for modest release sizes. For an in silico mouse population size of 10,000, elimination is simulated within 5 years for releases of 350 males per month, and within 10 years for releases of 150 males per month. This scale of production is within existing capabilities, potentially enabling suppression to encompass a larger spatial scale. Simulations suggest that elimination could be achieved for YLEs targeting both haploinsufficient and haplosufficient target genes. Gene drives were simulated to achieve suppression and elimination for smaller release sizes; but also to spread to non-target populations. In contrast, YLEs display minimal spillover. These characteristics present YLEs as a promising, ecologically manageable biocontrol tool for elimination of invasive rodents and conservation of native species.