On certain loci of smooth degree \(d\geq4\) plane curves with \(d\)-flexes. (Q1396305)

Let \({\mathcal M}_g\) be the moduli spaces of smooth curves of genus \(g\) over the field of complex numbers. For any \(d\geq 4\) and \(g= {d-1\choose 2}\), \({\mathcal V}_{d,\alpha}\) denotes the locus of \({\mathcal M}_g\) corresponding to plane curves having \(\alpha\) \(d\)-flexes, where a \(d\)-flex of a curve \(C\) is a pair \((P,r)\), \(P\) a point and \(r\) a line in \(\mathbb{P}^2\) such that \(C\cdot r=dP\). The authors prove that the loci \({\mathcal V}_{d,\alpha}\), \(\alpha=1,2\), are irreducible, rational locally closed subvarieties of dimension \({d+2-\alpha\choose 2}-8+3 \alpha\) (theorem A). Since the locus \({\mathcal V}_{d,\alpha}\) is no longer irreducible for \(\alpha\geq 3\), the authors consider some suitable subloci of \({\mathcal V}_{d,\alpha}\), \(\alpha=3,4\), in particular they check irreducibility, rationality and compute the dimension (theorem B and theorem C). This paper generalize results of \textit{A. M. Vermeulen} [``Weierstrass points of weight two on curves of genus three'', Thesis (Univ. Amsterdam 1983; Zbl 0534.14010)], who considered the case \(d=4\), while the locus \({\mathcal V}_{4,1}\) has been considered also by \textit{C. Faber} [Ann. Math. (2) 132, No 2, 331--419 (1990; Zbl 0721.14013)] in order to study the Chow ring \(A({\mathcal M}_3)\). The subject of the paper can be translated and located in the more general setting of Weierstrass points and gaps [see \textit{D. Eisenbud} and \textit{J. Harris}, Invent. Math. 87, 495--515 (1987; Zbl 0606.14014)], via \(\alpha\)-pointed curves (see lemma 1.5).