Possible ecological impacts caused by GFP transgenic zebrafish, Danio rerio

Abstract

Using the zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a model organism, the overall objective is to examine how insertion of GFP (Green Fluorescent Protein) into the muscles fibres can affect some aspects of fitness components. This was done via the comparisons of differences between transgenics (GFP) and wild type D. rerio, under controlled experimental conditions. Sexual selection in terms of mate choice, reproductive fitness, adult and juvenile viability, and behavioural differences were ascertained in both transgenic and wild type D. rerio. Empirical evidence determines that the transgenic trait decreases fitness of the transgenic organism in several aspects, where they are disadvantaged when mate choice, reproduction and viability were compared. Further, a theoretical model used to examine the consequences of these altered fitness components on gene flow and population sizes exhibited that the transgene frequency will rapidly decline and become extinct if it interacts with wild type zebrafish population.