Polyploidy plays important roles in evolution, increasing genetic novelty and providing ‘ackup’genetic material. However, polyploids have to adapt their cellular machinery to whole genome

duplications (WGD). For instance, in autotetraploids, crossovers may occur randomly between

each copy of the genome during meiosis, compromising regular chromosomal segregation. In

autopolyploid plants adapted to WGDs, only one crossover per chromosome is allowed, which

leads to successful meiosis. Although recent WGDs have been described in animals, they occur

rarely and usually such animals reproduce asexually. Amphibia is the only exception among

bisexually reproducing vertebrates with multiple occurrences of WGDs. For example, the frog

genus Neobatrachus consists

of 6 diploid and 4 tetraploid species. Compared to the diploids, the tetraploids occupy drier areas.

Using Neobatrachus frogs, this project hopes to provide the first evidence of adaptation to WGD at

the genetic and cellular level in the animal kingdom. Moreover, we hope to unveil whether WGD

promotes adaptation to drier environments. To achieve that, I will assemble and annotate a

genome of the diploid N. pictus. Next, I will compare the genetic variation among diploids and

tetraploids, and hope to identify adaptive changes in tetraploids. Integration of our findings in

frogs and plants will shed light on whether the mechanism of adaptation to WGDs is universal or

whether plants and animals use different ways to deal it.