Topologically singular points in the moduli space of Riemann surfaces (Q1671969)

Let \(g \geq 2\), and \(\mathcal{M}_g\) be the moduli space of surfaces of genus \(g\). This space has the structure of an orbifold given by the Teichmüller space \(\mathbb{T}_g\), and the action of the mapping class group that produces a covering \(\mathbb{T}_g \rightarrow \mathcal{M}_g\). Then, \textit{H. E. Rauch} proved in [Bull. Amer. Math. Soc. 69, 390--394 (1962; Zbl. 0106.28801)] that every point in the branch locus \(\mathcal{B}_g\) is topologically singular for \(g > 3\), while \(\mathcal{B}_2\) and \(\mathcal{B}_3\) contain both topologically singular and non-singular points. The present paper gives a new proof of these facts by using the uniformization of Riemann surfaces and of their automorphism groups by means of Fuchsian groups. As a byproduct, the authors obtain a singular point of \(\mathcal{B}_2\) missing in the list of Rauch. They also study some equisymmetric families of surfaces, showing the singular and non-singular points in their branch loci.