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 Central University of Kerala
31 January 2026

Prof. Sudha Kappalli

Marine Zoology Lab, Room No. 112


Brief Profile

I obtained PhD in Zoology from the University of Calicut in 1993. I have 30 years of teaching experience at a post-graduate level since 1994. Since March 2017, I have been serving as a Professor at the Department of Zoology, School of Biological Science, Central University of Kerala. Currently I am the Dean, School of Biological Sciences, CUK.  I have successfully completed seven major research projects funded by the International Foundation for Science (Stockholm, Sweden), BRNS, UGC, KSCSTE, SERB, DST-RFBR, and DST-JSPS as Principal Investigator during the period from 2004 to 2024. Currently, I have established international research collaborations with institutions in the UK, Russia, China, and Japan under international fellowships, including the Commonwealth fellowship, TWAS fellowship, CAS-PIFI Visiting Scientist Fellowship, and collaborative research projects, including the DST-RFBR and DST-JSPS. I am the recipient of CAS-PIFI Visiting Scientist Fellowship (2015), CAS-TWAS Visiting Scholar Fellowship (2009 and 2011), Commonwealth Academic Staff Fellowship (2007), INSA Visiting Scientist Fellowship (2007), IAS Summer Teacher Fellowship (2005), and University Post-Doctoral Fellowship (1994). My laboratory also has a research collaboration with Central Institute of Brackishwater Aquaculture (CIBA-ICAR, Chennai) and the Aquaculture Industry, ADCOS, Amazing Biotech, Puducherry (through an MoU), and Department of Science and Technology, Kavarati, Lakshadweep.
My research focus is on Aquatic Animal Health-related aspects. I have worked on disease monitoring, host-parasite interactions, and defence mechanisms of shellfish. I am interested in determining the growth-reproduction interaction via biochemical & endocrine regulation in crustaceans, biodiversity of parasitic isopods and copepods, and their host-parasite interaction, and developing treatment strategies against several aquatic pathogens. My research findings were published as  ̴ 50 research papers in peer-reviewed journals and 6 papers in conference proceedings, and two book chapters. I have presented 18 papers in conferences held in India and abroad and guided 10 PhD students. I have edited one book published by Springer. I am the Reviewer of many reputed international journals. I am currently mentoring six doctoral students and one Post-Doctoral Fellow (DST-WoS).
I serve as a member of several professional and academic bodies of universities and government agencies. In honor of excellence in teaching, I have been awarded the prestigious Dr. P.K. Rajan Memorial Excellent Award (2012), Prof. Sivaprasad Memorial Award (2013) and St. Berchmans Award (2013) for Best College Teacher in Kerala. I organized one national-level Lecture-Workshop in Molecular Endocrinology in 2006 and eight DST-INSPIRE Internship Science Camps. Co-convener of the national level workshop on Aquacultural Biotechnology (2005). I  served as HoD, Department of Zoology, CUK (Dec 2019-Dec 2022), Warden, Ladies hostel, CUK (2018-2021), served as NSS Programme Officer during 2009-2012. Currently, I have been assigned as Presiding Officer, Internal Complaint Committee, CUK.

51

Publications

8

Projects

68

Students

2

Courses Taught


...
Prof. Sudha Kappalli
Professor
Department of Zoology
  9447689646
  [email protected]
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 Google Scholar ID
 ORCID
 Scopus ID
 Researcher ID

 Research

Fisheries and aquaculture are becoming the most popular trade to meet the food, drug, and cosmetic demands of the fastest-growing human population in the world. The wild capture fisheries to fulfil this demand would seriously affect their ecological balance. Aquafarming has been an important sector in India in recent years, engaging more than 14 million people in different activities. Although several governmental and non-governmental organizations have been providing remarkable contributions in shaping this industry, several factors inhibit the development of aquaculture. Apart from the environmental parameters, the prevalence and incidences of metazoan and protozoan parasites in the culture farms and the concurrent poor growth performances of farmed animals are the most significant factors that tremendously affect aquaculture's economic benefit. Consequently, i) maintenance of aquatic health and ii) stimulation of growth and reproduction are the essential areas of research to uplift

 Recent and Major Publications

  1. Majid Yaqoob · Amrutha Vani Sahadevan · Sudha Kappalli,"Norileca indica (Milne Edwards, 1840), infecting the fish Rastrelliger kanagurta (Cuvier, 1816); fundamental aspects of host–parasite interaction",Journal of Parasitic diseases,DOI https://doi.org/10.1007/s12639-025-01837-9

  2. Kappalli Sudha., Nath A., Gopinathan, A,"Reproduction and molt related fluctuation in hepatopancreatic metabolites in a continuous breeding brachyuran crab, Metopograpsus messor: Season wise Analysis",Biology Bulletin,52 (27)

  3. Swaraj, P., Reshmi, M.V.N., Rijin, K., Drisya O.K., Priya Jose, Sudha Kappalli,"Bomolochidae Claus, 1875 (Cyclopoida: Copepoda) Parasitizing the Marine Fishes of Kerala Coast (India): Host-Parasite Interaction and Species Diversity",Acta Parasitologica,70(3)

  4. A. Nath, T.A. Josr Priya, Sudha Kappalli,"Programming of molting in a male fiddler crab Gelasimus hesperiae (Crane 1975): Ecological and Biochemical approach",Biology Bulletin,Vol 52 Page: 1877-1892

  5. Jose Priya TA, Charutha Karunakaran, Aishwarya Nath, Sudha Kappalli,"Transcriptomic Variation of Amphiprion Percula (Lacepède, 1802) in Response to Infection with Cryptocaryon Irritans Brown, 1951",Marine Biotechnology,25(6):858-890.

  6. Aishwaria Nath, T.A.J. Priya, and Sudha Kappalli,"Report on sexual maturity in male fiddler crab, Gelasimus hesperiae (Crane, 1975) (Brachyura: Ocypodidae)",Invertebrate Zoology,,20 (4) 417-432 .

  7. Nikhila Reshmi M V , Rijin K , Drisya O K , Jose Priya T A , Sudha Kappalli.,"Lernanthropids (Siphonostomatoida: Copepoda) parasitizing the marine fishes of Kerala Coast (India): Species diversity, Phylogeny and host-parasite interaction",Regional studies in Marine Sciences, Elsevier: October 2023, 68 ,102838 IF: 2.1,68

  8. Jose Priya TA., Sudha Kappalli,"Chemicals and Their Interaction in the Aquaculture System Biomedical Applications and Toxicity of Nanomaterials, 2023",Biomedical Applications and Toxicity of Nanomaterials, 2023,277–297

  9. Jose Priya TA., Sudha Kappalli,"Modern biotechnological strategies for vaccine development in aquaculture – Prospects and challenges",Vaccine,40 (4),5873-5881

  10. Nikhila Reshmi M.V., Charutha Karunakaran, Jose Priya TA, Swaraj P, Sudha Kappalli,"Immune responses of Cyprinus carpio induced by protein extracts of Lernaea cyprinacea Linnaeus, 1758,",Experimental Parasitology,239, 108306

  11. Helna A.K., Sudha Kappalli,"Male and female reproductive systems of the pseudocycnid copepod cybicola armatus (bassett-smith, 1898) (siphonostomatoidae) infecting the commercially important scombrid fish scomberomorus commerson: light and electron microscopic study.",Curstaceana,95(5-6) 533-552

  12. Amrutha Vani Sahadevani, Jose Priya T A, Sudha Kappalli,"Biphasic moulting in isopods confers advantages for their adaptation to various habitats and lifestyle",Biologia,77, 1067-1081

  13. Nikhila Reshmi M V, Rijin K, Drisya O K, Jose Priya T A, Sudha Kappalli,"Species diversity and genetic variation of caligids (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida) infecting the marine fishes of Kerala Coast, India",Marine Biodiversity,52(1), 1-20.

  14. Aneesh, P. T., & Kappalli, S.,"Protandrous hermaphroditic reproductive system in the adult phases of Mothocya renardi (Bleeker, 1857)(Cymothoidae: Isopoda: Crustacea)–Light and electron microscopy study",Zoological studies,59 (61): 1-15

  15. T. A. Jose Priya, Kappalli Sudha,"Molecular remedies against Cryptocaryon irritans Brown, 1951—Practical difficulties.",Aquaculture Research,DOI: 10.1111/are.14751

  16. Rijin K., Amruthavani S., Nikhila Reshmi M.V., Drishya O.K., Sudha Kappalli. ,"Copepod (Crustacea) infection on Oil sardine, Sardinella longiceps (Actinopterygii; Clupeidae) ",Indian Journal of Geo-Marine Sciences ,Vol. 45(05), 911-914

  17. Aneesh, P. T., Sudha Kappalli ,"Occurrence of life cycle dependent monophasic and biphasic molting in Mothocya renardi Thalassas",An International Journal of Marine Sciences,36, 115–124

  18. Thasnim S. N, Megha R, Sisira C P, Sudha Kappalli,"The occurrence of parasitic copepods and isopods infesting the marine teleost fishes of Kerala coast, India.",Journal of parasitic diseases,45(1):78–88

  19. Rijin K., Mumthaz T. M.V., Sudha Kappalli ,"Clupeid fish hosts a Peniculus sp. (Pennellidae, Siphonostomatoida, Copepoda) – First report on new host and season dependent prevalence, ",Acta Oceanologica Sinica,38, 118–125

  20. R.M.V. Nikhila, O.K. Drisya, K. Rijin, T.M.V. Mumthaz, A.K. Helna, Viatcheslav N. Ivanenko, Sudha Kappalli,"Copepod crustaceans parasitizing marine fish of the Kerala coast, India.",Arthropoda Selecta,28:4

  21. Amrutha Vani Sahadevan, T.A. Jose Priya, Sudha Kappalli ," Biphasic moult cycle of the parasitic isopod Norileca indica (H. Milne Edwards, 1840) (Isopoda: Cymothoidea): stage-wise characterization and haemolymph ecdysteroids titre",Journal of Crustacean Biology,40(1), 131-140

  22. Helna A.K., Sudha Kappalli. ,"Norileca indica (Crustacea: Isopoda, Cymothoidae) infecting Rastrelliger kanagurta along the Malabar Coast of India - Seasonal variation in prevalence and aspects of host-parasite interaction. ",Zoological studies ,58: e35

  23. Kottarathil, H. A., & Kappalli, S.,"Reproductive System in the Male Phase of a Parasitic Isopod (Crustacea)–Morphological, Histological and Ultrastructural Evidence for Sequential Protandrous Hermaphroditic Changes",Zoological Studies ,58: 4

  24. Keethadath, A., Kappalli, S., Gayathri, N., Thomas, D. M., & Anilkumar, G.,"Impact of gamma irradiation on tissues of the mud crab, Scylla serrata (Forskål, 1775) (Decapoda, Portunidae)—electron microscopic study and DNA comet assay.",Crustaceana,92(1), 33-56

  25. Kottarathil, H. A. & Kappalli, S.,"Characterization of a protandrous hermaphroditic reproductive system in transitional and female phases of Norileca indica—morphological, histological and ultrastructural approach",Crustaceana,92(6), 641-664

  26. Kottarathil, H. A., & Kappalli, S.,"Reproductive System in the Male Phase of a Parasitic Isopod (Crustacea)–Morphological, Histological and Ultrastructural Evidence for Sequential Protandrous Hermaphroditic Changes.",Zoological Studies,58: 4

  27. Panakkool-Thampan, A., Kottarathil, H. A., Kappalli, S., & Gopinathan, A,"First record of Glossobius auritus Bovallius 1885 and Glossobius hemiramphi Williams and Williams 1985 (Crustacea: Isopoda: Cymothoidae) parasitizing the marine fishes from Indian Coast.",Thalassas: An International Journal of Marine Sciences,34:1, 173-189

  28. Helna, A. K., Sudha, K., Aneesh, P. T., & Anilkumar, G.,"Caligus cybii (Caligidae, Copepoda) parasitising the commercially exploited seer fish, Scomberomorus commerson, from the Malabar Coast (India)-occurrence and adaptations. ,",Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences,18:3, 445-455

  29. Aneesh, P. T., Sudha, K., Helna, A. K., & Anilkumar, G.,"Agarna malayi Tiwari 1952 (Crustacea: Isopoda: Cymothoidae) Parasitising the Marine Fish, Tenualosa toli (Clupeidae) from India: Re-description/description of Parasite Life Cycle and Patterns of Occurrence.",Zoological Studies,57:25, 1-22

  30. Rijin, K., Sudha, K., Vineesh, P. J., & Anilkumar, G.,"Seasonal Variation in the Occurrence of Parasitic Isopods and Copepods (Crustacea) Infecting the Clupeidaen Fishes of Malabar Coast, India.",Turkish Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences,19(3), 241-249

  31. Supriya, N. T., Sudha, K., Krishnakumar, V., & Anilkumar, G.,"Molt and reproduction enhancement together with hemolymph ecdysteroid elevation under eyestalk ablation in the female fiddler crab, Uca triangularis (Brachyura: Decapoda).",Journal of Oceanology and Limnology,35:3, 645-657

  32. Panakkool-Thamban, A., Kottarathil, H. A., & Kappalli, S.,"Branchial cymothoids infesting the marine food fishes of Malabar coast.",Journal of parasitic diseases,40(4), 1270-1277

  33. Jithin, K., Swapna, A., Kumar, R. R., Venu, S., Helna, A. K., & Sudha, K.,"Studies on crustacean parasites from commercial marine fish along the Andaman Coast in comparison with Malabar Coast of Kerala of Indian EEZ.",World Journal of Fisheries and Marine Sciences,8(1), 47-53

  34. Helna, A. K., Sudha, K., Aneesh, P. T., Piasecki, W., & Anilkumar, G.,"A case of persisting massive infection of Scomberomorus commerson, a commercially exploited scombrid fish, with Cybicola armatus (Copepoda: Siphonostomatoida: Pseudocycnidae).",Acta Parasitologica,61(4), 836-848

  35. Panakkool-Thamban, A., Kappalli, S., Kottarathil, H. A., & Gopinathan, A.,"Mothocya renardi (Bleeker, 1857) (Crustacea: Isopoda: Cymothoidae) parasitising Strongylura leiura (Bleeker, 1850) (Belonidae) off the Malabar coast of India: Redescription, occurrence and life-cycle.",Systematic Parasitology,93(6), 583-599

  36. Arshad, K., Sudha, K., Hatha, A. A. M., & Anilkumar, G.,"Combined effect of gamma irradiation and cold temperature storage on the sensory properties of edible estuarine crab Scylla serrata.",International Food Research Journal,22(6), 2253-2258

  37. Arshad, K., Sudha, K., Mohamed Hatha, A. A., Aneesh, P. T., Helna, A. K., & Anilkumar, G.,"Effect by Gamma Irradiation and Low‐Temperature Storage on Bacteriological Profile of Edible Estuarine Crab Scylla serrata.",Journal of Food Processing and Preservation,39(6), 2473-2484

  38. Thamban, A. P., Kappalli, S., Kottarathil, H. A., Gopinathan, A., & Paul, T. J.,"Cymothoa frontalis, a cymothoid isopod parasitizing the belonid fish Strongylura strongylura from the Malabar Coast (Kerala, India): redescription, description, prevalence and life cycle.",Zoological Studies,54(1), 42.

  39. Shyamal, S., Sudha, K., Gayathri, N., & Anilkumar, G,"The Y-organ secretory activity fluctuates in relation to seasons of molt and reproduction in the brachyuran crab, Metopograpsus messor (Grapsidae): Ultrastructural and immunohistochemical study",General and Comparative Endocrinology,196, 81-90

  40. Durica, D. S., Das, S., Najar, F., Roe, B., Phillips, B., Kappalli, S., & Anilkumar, G,"Alternative splicing in the fiddler crab cognate ecdysteroid receptor: Variation in receptor isoform expression and DNA binding properties in response to hormone.",General and Comparative Endocrinology,206, 80-95

  41. Aneesh, P. T., Sudha, K., Helna, A. K., Anilkumar, G., & Trilles, J. P.,"Multiple parasitic crustacean infestation on belonid fish Strongylura strongylura.",ZooKeys,(457), 339

  42. Aneesh, P. T., Sudha, K., Helna, A. K., Arshad, K., Anilkumar, G., & Trilles, J. P.,"Simultaneous multiple parasitic crustacean infestation on banded needlefish, Strongylura leiura (Belonidae) from the Malabar Coast, India",International Journal of Scientific and Research Publications,3(7), 367-375

  43. Helna, A. K., Aneesh, P. T., Arshad, K., & Sudha, K.,"Occurrence of Caligus sp. a parasitic Copepod (Crustacea) infesting the commercially exploited fishes along the Malabar cost.",Journal of Basic and Applied Biology,7(3), 28-30

  44. P.T. Aneesh, Kappalli Sudha, Keethadath Arshad, Gopinathan Anilkumar and Jean-Paul Trilles,"Seasonal fluctuation of the prevalence of cymothoids representing the genus Nerocila (Crustacea, Isopoda), parasitizing commercially exploited marine fishes from the Malabar Coast, India.",Acta Parasitologica,58 (1), 80-90

  45. Kappalli, S., Supriya, N. T., Krishnakumar, V., Gopinathan, A., & Chang, E. S,"Hemolymph ecdysteroid titers in a brachyuran crab (Uca triangularis) that concomitantly undergoes molting and reproduction",Zoological Studies,51, 966-976

  46. Xingqiang, W., Sudha, K., Cao, M., & Ma, S,"Effects of low salinity and low temperature on survival, growth, and energy budget of juvenile Exopalaemon carinicauda",Journal of shellfish Research,29(4), 1035-1042

  47. Sudha K., Supriya N.T., Krishnakumar K.V., Anilkumar G and Chang E.S.,"Serum ecdysteriod titre and synergistic programming of moulting and reproduction in a highly fecund crab Uca triangularis",Journal of fisheries of China,Supplement Volume: 33

  48. K. Sudha and G. Anilkumar (2007),"Elevated ecdysteroid titer and precocious molt and vitellogenesis induced by eyestalk ablation in the estuarine crab, Metopograpsus messor (Brachyura: Decapoda)",Journal of Crustacean Biology,27(2), 304-308

  49. Anilkumar, G., Sudha, K., & Subramoniam, T.,"Spermatophore transfer and sperm structure in the brachyuran crab Metopograpsus messor (Decapoda: Grapsidae)",Journal of Crustacean Biology,Anilkumar, G., Sudha, K., & Subramoniam, T. (1999). Spermatophore transfer and sperm structure in the brachyuran crab Metopograpsus messor (Decapoda: Grapsidae). Journal of Crustacean Biology, 19(2), 361-370 [Oxford Academic, IF: 1.43]

  50. Anilkumar, G., Sudha, K., Anitha, E., & Subramoniam, T,"Aspects of sperm metabolism in the spermatheca of the brachyuran crab Metopograpsus messor (Forskal).",Journal of Crustacean Biology,16(2)

  51. Sudha, K., & Anilkumar, G,"Seasonal growth and reproduction in a highly fecund brachyuran crab, Metopograpsus messor (Forskal) (Grapsidae).",Hydrobiologia,319(1), 15-21


 Group Members

 Research Projects Undertaken

Origin, specificity and molecular systematics of Bopyrid isopods

 Indo-Japan (DST-JSPS)

Indo-Japan (DST-JSPS) bilateral collaborative project

Integrative study of parasitic crustacean copepods from coral communities of the Northwest Indian Ocean

 Indo-Russian (DST-RFBR)

Indo-Russian (DST-RFBR) Joint Major Research Project

Studies on occurrence, sexuality, growth and reproduction of cymothoids parasitizing commercially important marine fishes of Malabar coast

 03-04-2018 02-04-2021 KSCSTE, Govt of Kerala

Major

Studies on Biphasic moult and hermaphroditic reproduction in Norileca indica, a parasitic cymothoid (Isopoda: Crustacea) infesting the marine fishes of Malabar coast.

 Major 02-08-2017 27-08-2020 DST-SERB

Major

Studies on Parasitic crustaceans infesting the Fishes of Malabar

 KSCSTE, Govt of Kerala

Major

Studies on Growth and Reproduction of Pseudocycnus sp., a Crustacean Parasite, infecting Fishes of Malabar.

 UGC, New Delhi

National

Irradiation as a potential tool for optimized and longer shelf life for Shellfishes

 BRNS, DAE, Govt of India

National

Studies on Steroid and Retinoid Hormones and Hormone Receptors related to Growth and Reproduction in Decapod Crustaceans

 International Foundation for Science, Stockholm, Sweden

International

 Books / Chapters

  • Chapter(s) - Co-Author, (2023). Biomedical Applications and Toxicity of Nanomaterials. Springer, Singapore., Springer, Singapore., https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-7834-0_11

  • Book - Co-Author, (2023). Biomedical Applications and Toxicity of Nanomaterials.: Mohanan, P.V., Kappalli, S. (eds), Springer, Singapore., https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-7834-0_11

  • Book - Co-Author, (2010). Perspectives in Animal Ecology and Reproduction, , Daya publications, New Delhi , 9789351241362

    •  Patents

      None

     Miscellaneous

     Membership/Fellowship of other institutions/professionals societies : 
    •	2015 - Chinese Academy of Sciences-President’s International Fellowship Initiative     
            (CAS-PIFI Visiting Scientist)
•	2013 - St. Berchman’s Award for the Best College Teacher in Kerala, India
•	2013 - Prof. Sivaprasad Memorial Excellence Award for the Best College Teacher in 
                        Kerala, India
•	2013-  UGC International travel grant to attend ICIRD-2013, Detroit, MI, USA
•	2012 - Dr.P.K.Rajan Memorial Excellence Award for the best  University/College 
           Teachers in Kerala by Kannur University, India 
•	2011 - CAS-TWAS Visiting Scholar Fellowship 
•	2009 - CAS-TWAS Visiting Scholar Fellowship
•	2007 - Commonwealth Academic Staff Fellowship
•	2004 - Grantee, International Foundation for Science, Stockholm, Sweden 
•	2007 - INSA Visiting Scientist Fellowship, Indian National Academy of Sciences, New  
            Delhi
•	2005 - IAS Summer Teacher Fellowship, Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore, India
     Student related co-curricular, extension and field based activities and counseling. 
    •	Mentor- DST-INSPIRE Internship, a National level  programme of  Govt of India, to promote  science research  (2013-2019)
•	Mentor- “Walk With Scholar” Programme, state level programme of Govt of Kerala  to promote basic science activities (2014-2017) 
•	Mentor-  Activities of Science club of schools in Kannur District (since 2000)
 •	Programme Officer- National Service Scheme  (2008- 2012)
     Contribution to corporate sector-management of the department and institution through participation in academic and administration,committees and responsibilities. 
    1. HoD, Department of Zoology, CUK (2019-2022)
2. Dean, School of Biological Sciences, CUK (2025-till date)
3. Presiding Officer, Internal Compliant Committee (ICC), CUK
     Other activities/Responsibilities : 
    •	Member - Court, Central University of Kerala (2017- 2020; 2025- till date)
•	Member – IQAC, Central University of Kerala (2020- till date)
•	Member- Apex Resource Group, Sastraposhini, KSCSTE, Govt of Kerala (2016 till date)
•	Member- Governing Body, CRYSTAL, KSCSTE, Govt of Kerala( 2017-till date)
•	Member Secretary- Institutional Animal Ethical Committee, Central University of Kerala
•	Member- Board of Studies, Chemical and Biological Sciences, CUSAT, Kochi
•	Member- Doctoral Committee (Zoology), Kannur University (2013-till date)
•	Member-Expert Committee, NEST, KSCSTE, Govt of Kerala (2015)
•	Member-  27th Kerala Science Congress Committee (2014)
•	Member- PG  Board of  Studies (Zoology), Kannur University (2011-2016; 2018 - present)
•	Life member (No.KOC 073), Association of British Scholars- India, Kochi Chapter
•	World Aquaculture Society, USA (2011-2014)
•	The Indian Science Congress Association, Kolkata
•	IQAC, Sree Narayana College, Kannur (2011-2017)
     Any other relevant information, if not given above :

     Contact

    Full Name
    		 Prof. Sudha Kappalli
    Address
    		 Department Of Zoology School of Biological Science
    Telphone Number
    (With STD Code)
    		 9447689646
    PinCode
    		 671320

     Teaching & Research Guidance

    • Immunology, Biophysics, Endocrinology, Physiology, Biochemistry, Research Methodology, Parasitology:Post Graduate
    • Marine Zoology -Morphological and physiological aspects of aquatic animals:Research Guidance