[Evaluation of the growth of Callinectes sapidus (Decapoda: Portunidae) by the use of lengthbased methods based on size in Tamaulipas, Mexico].

The capture blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) is one of the major fisheries of the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico; both in volume and selling price, as well as employment generation, but there is little information on its biological characteristics. The aim of this study was to evaluate the growth parameters of the blue crab, establishing the most appropriate method. We estimated the length frequency of 17 814 crabs from commercial catch of thirteen locations, including four coastal lagoons. The lagoons were El Barril, Madre, Morales and San Andrés from Tamaulipas, State. Growth parameters were evaluated using indirect methods ELEFAN, PROJMAT and SLCA in combination with the jackknife technique to establish the uncertainty of estimates inherent in each method. The growth parameters L∞ and k were consolidated for purposes of comparison with the growth index phi prime (Φ’). With a mode of 110 mm, the interval carapace length varied between 60 and 205 mm. The values of the growth parameters varied according to the method used. Using SLCA, L∞ varied between 259 and 260 mm and k ranged between 0.749 and 0.750 /year; with PROJMAT, L∞ recorded values between 205 and 260 mm, k fluctuated between 0.550 and 0.740/year, and with ELEFAN, L∞ ranged between 156 and 215 mm and k varied between 0.479 and 0.848/year. Estimates by jackknife detected no variability in Φ’ between locations and significant differences between methods. The ranges of values of Φ’ and PROJMAT estimated SLCA (4.70 to 4.71 and 4.66 to 4.70, respectively) were in the range reported in the literature (4.201-4.798), while lower values ELEFAN contributed significantly (3.87 to 4.27). The SLCA and PROJMAT methods in combination with the jackknife technique, proved to be the most suitable to estimate the growth parameters of C. sapidus.