RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) technique was applied to assess the genetic diversity among five species belonging to two genera of Hydraridae. Eighteen primers were selected from 80 random primers and yielded a total of 303 clear bands ranging from 0.3-3.0 kb. The classification relationships of hydras were clarified using UPGMA. Individuals of the same species clustered respectively first. Hydra daqingensis and H. beijingensis showed close relationship with H. robusta , H. mo-hensis and Chlorohydra sp. belonging to different genera showed close relationship, so five species of hydras could be divided into two groups.