Re-description of the growth pattern of four decapod species by information theory

The growth pattern of four commercial decapod crustacean species (<i>Arenaeus cribrarius, Ucides cordatus, Palaemon longirostris</i> and <i>Plesionika izumiae</i>) was reanalyzed using published data. Six candidate growth models with asymptotic and non-asymptotic characteristics were tested. The best model was determined by information theory, according to Bayesian (BIC) and Akaike (AICc) information criteria and the weight of evidence in favour of model i (Wi). For <i>U. cordatus, P. izumiae</i> and the females of <i>A. cribrarius,</i> the best growth model corresponded to case 1 of Schnute model. In male <i>A. cribrarius</i>, the highest Wi was observed for the case 1 of Schnute model according to both criteria, but seasonal models were also plausible to describe growth. In <i>P. longirostris</i>, discrepancies were observed between criteria. The BIC supported the case 1 of Schnute in females, but the AICc did not identify a winner model (Wi &gt; 90%); the case 1 and case 4 of Schnute displayed the highest Wi. The males that exhibited the highest Wi values were Schnute case 4 &gt; Schnute case 3 &gt; von Bertalanffy &gt; Gompertz &gt; Logistic. This study highlights the importance of considering different assumptions in growth patterns of the species and does not impose any a priori mathematical framework to available data. <b>Abbreviations:</b> AIC: Akaike Information Criterion. BIC: Bayesian Information Criterion <b>Impact Statement</b>The multi-model approach improves the model selection based on information criteria to re-describe patterns of growth in some decapod crustaceans.The von Bertalanffy growth model is not appropriate to describe the growth pattern based on the available data.The growth patterns found were asymptotic and not asymptotic, described mainly through the Schnute model. The multi-model approach improves the model selection based on information criteria to re-describe patterns of growth in some decapod crustaceans. The von Bertalanffy growth model is not appropriate to describe the growth pattern based on the available data. The growth patterns found were asymptotic and not asymptotic, described mainly through the Schnute model.