The present study evaluated the genetic variations using ISSR-PCR technique for the first time on two species of Macrobrachium from Jammu region of J&K, India. The Inter Simple Sequence Repeat Polymorphic DNA (ISSR) analysis was employed to estimate the genetic relationships and diversity among two species of local prawns (Family Palaemonidae). The specimens for present investigation were collected from water bodies of Kathua district, Samba district and Jammu district of Jammu and Kashmir. Genomic DNA was extracted from pleopods using salt extraction method. The quality and quantity of extracted DNA were analysed by Agarose Gel Electrophoresis as well as Spectrophotometry. DNA was amplified using ISSR primers in the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR). Values obtained from the bands on Agarose gel (1.8%) in Tris Borate EDTA buffer (TBE) were scored and analyzed. Results showed that the bands were in the range between 350 and 1000 bp. Maximum number of bands were recorded for M. dayanum of Kathua district. When a comparison was drawn within the populations of M. dayanum and with population of M. lamarrei, it has been found that the population of M. dayanum of Kathua district showed higher degree of genetic polymorphism. Amplified DNA fragments with monomorphic profile were also evident. Macrobrachium dayanum showed high levels of genetic variability at inter and intra-specific level.
