Jayachandran Paravanparambil Rajakumar

INTRODUCTION

Jayachandran is currently a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Applied Research Center for Environment and Marine Studies (ARC-EMS), King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Saudi Arabia. Prior to joining KFUPM, he completed his Ph.D. and Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), India.

His research interests encompass marine ecology, benthic biodiversity, biological invasions, environmental DNA (eDNA), climate change, coastal ecosystem conservation, marine environmental management, and blue carbon. His work integrates ecological field studies, molecular approaches, and ecosystem-based management to address emerging challenges in marine and coastal environments.

In addition to his research, Jayachandran serves as an Editorial Board Member of Discover Oceans (Springer Nature) and as a Subject Editor for One Ecosystem (Pensoft Publishers) and Estuarine Management and Technologies. He also serves as a reviewer for numerous high-impact international journals in marine science, ecology, environmental sciences, and biodiversity conservation.

Jayachandran is a Fellow of Future Earth Coasts (FEC) and actively contributes to several international scientific and policy initiatives. He is a member of the IUCN Commission on Ecosystem Management (CEM) and the IUCN Commission on Environmental, Economic and Social Policy (CEESP). He is also a member of the United Nations Regular Process Pool of Experts (PoE) for the Global Marine Environment Assessment and serves as a Writing Team Member for the Third World Ocean Assessment (WOA III).

His professional memberships include the Estuarine & Coastal Sciences Association (ECSA; ID: 3135), the Association for the Sciences of Limnology and Oceanography (ASLO; ID: 15073), the Marine Biology Alumni Association, India, the Society of Wetland Scientists (ID: 076670), the Svalbard Science Forum (Research in Svalbard IDs: 10327 and 10325), the British Ecological Society (ID: CON-1027404), the Society of Marine Biologists, India (ID: SOMB/ER/678/05/080), and the Mangrove Society of India.

Through his research, editorial contributions, and participation in international scientific networks, Jayachandran is committed to advancing marine and coastal science, promoting evidence-based environmental management, and supporting global efforts toward sustainable ocean governance and biodiversity conservation.

Latest News

New Review Published in Hydrobiologia: Global Invasion Dynamics of the Charru Mussel (Mytella strigata)

24 June 2026

I am pleased to share the publication of our latest review article in Hydrobiologia:

Jayachandran, P.R., Ma, P.-Z., Velásquez, M., Kokesh, B.S., et al. (2026). Global invasion dynamics of the charru mussel Mytella strigata (Hanley, 1843): mechanisms, impacts, knowledge gaps, and biosecurity implications. Hydrobiologia. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-026-06253-5

This comprehensive international review synthesizes current knowledge on one of the world's fastest-spreading invasive marine mussels, Mytella strigata. The study brings together contributions from researchers across Asia, Europe, North America, and South America to examine the species' invasion history, biological characteristics, dispersal pathways, ecological impacts, and implications for global marine biosecurity.

As the lead and corresponding author, I led the conceptualization, data synthesis, analysis, and preparation of this global review. The paper examines the major mechanisms driving the worldwide expansion of Mytella strigata, including ballast water transport, biofouling, and aquaculture-mediated introductions. It also evaluates the species' impacts on biodiversity, aquaculture, ecosystem functioning, and seafood safety while identifying critical research priorities for improving early detection, monitoring, and management.

The review highlights the growing importance of integrating ecological research, molecular surveillance, international collaboration, and evidence-based biosecurity policies to reduce the risks posed by marine biological invasions under accelerating global trade and climate change.

This publication represents an important milestone in advancing the understanding of marine invasive species and supports the development of science-based strategies for protecting coastal ecosystems worldwide.

Journal: Hydrobiologia
Published: 24 June 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-026-06253-5