Recognizing genetic stocks can guide efficient management efforts for fisheries. This would guarantee sustainable exploitation of present fisheries, assist the recovery of depleted ones, and ensure the maintenance of different genetic lineages for the target species. The swimming crab Callinectes danae Smith, 1869 is an economically important species for several local western Atlantic coastal populations. This species can be found along all the Brazilian coast occurring in shallow waters. Considering the importance of this species, we investigated the presence of genetic stocks along its distribution aiming to provide information for fishery management. We used two mitochondrial markers (COI and 16S) to characterize individuals from many fishing areas comprising approximately 7000 km of extension. Our results indicate lack of genetic structure among populations of C. danae and signs of high connectivity. This scenario is probably result of great dispersal capability and tolerance for different marine environments. Therefore, C. danae is characterized as a single genetic stock along the Brazilian coast and future management should consider country-level plans.

认识遗传资源可以指导渔业的有效管理工作。这将确保对现有渔业的可持续开发，协助枯竭的渔业的恢复，并确保维持目标物种的不同遗传谱系。游泳蟹Callinectes danae史密斯（Smith），1869年，是大西洋沿岸几个沿海地区人口的重要经济物种。在整个巴西沿岸浅水区都可以发现该物种。考虑到该物种的重要性，我们调查了沿其分布的遗传种群的存在，旨在为渔业管理提供信息。我们使用了两个线粒体标记（COI和16S）来表征来自许多捕鱼区的个体，包括延伸约7000 km。我们的结果表明，C。danae种群之间缺乏遗传结构，并且存在高度连通的迹象。这种情况可能是由于对不同海洋环境具有强大的分散能力和耐受力所致。因此，C。danae 其特征是巴西沿岸的单一遗传种群，今后的管理应考虑国家一级的计划。