RESUMO
Macrobrachium rosenbergii, giant freshwater prawn, is one of the most commercially important crustaceans. In the present study, primers for ATPase 6/8 region of mt-DNA were designed and successfully amplified (827 bp) in the species. The nucleotide variation in ATPase 6/8 gene revealed the population structuring in natural populations of M. rosenbergii in Indian waters. A total of 35 haplotypes were observed in 93 individuals collected from different locations. Low nucleotide diversity and high haplotype diversity were noticed for the ATPase 6/8 gene. Significant pairwise FST and, haplotype network indicated occurrence of distinct populations. Observed mismatch distribution and Tajima's D test suggested demographical stability of giant freshwater prawn. The genetic stock structure revealed in this study will be helpful for conservation and management of stocks of M. rosenbergii in Indian waters.