Specialization of linear systems from curves to graphs (with an appendix by Brian Conrad) (Q1005880)

\textit{M. Baker} and \textit{S. Norine} [Adv. Math. 215, 766--788 (2007; Zbl 1124.05049); Int. Math. Res. Notices (2009, to appear)] formulated many aspects of the theory of linear series on curves (e.g. Brill-Noether theory, Weierstrass points, \dots) in a graph-theoretic context. In this paper the author considers linear series on curves and those on the dual graph of an arithmetic surface having the curve as its generic fiber. Therefore, among other things, the Brill-Noether theory on curves implies new results on graphs and the concept of Weierstrass points on graphs gives new insights on arithmetical properties of Weierstrass points of tropical or modular curves.