A fixed point theorem for plane separating continua (Q1186150)

Using the Cartwright-Littlewood fixed point theorem and a clever argument involving the index of \(F\) around suitably chosen simple closed curves, the authors prove the following: Theorem. If \(F\) is an orientation preserving homeomorphism of the plane and \(\Delta\) is a continuum in the plane that is invariant under \(F\) and that separates the plane into exactly two domains, at least one of which has a prime end fixed by \(F\), then \(F\) has fixed point in \(\Delta\). The paper contains a conjecture concerning the rotation number and periodic prime ends. In particular, it is not known whether the existence of a periodic prime end of least period \(q\) implies that there is a fixed point of least period \(q\).