Comparing body-size growth curves: the Gallucci-Quinn index, and beyond

Gallucci and Quinn suggested that the product \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$ {L_\infty } \cdot k $$\end{document} is a sensible index to compare two growth curves (L∞, k the usual Bertalanffy parameters). This paper gives four (interrelated) reasons why this index captures some essential features of body-size growth. It also notes that the product \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$ k \cdot L_\infty^3 $$\end{document} directly compares fish growth at the maximum growth rate.