Lower bounds and asymptotics of real double Hurwitz numbers (Q2324870)

In the article under review, real analogs of double Hurwitz numbers are studied and lower bounds, as well as asymptotic statements for these numbers are established. Complex double Hurwitz numbers are counts of branched covers of the complex projective line with fixed branch points, satisfying a prescribed ramification profile. Moreover, over all but two points, the branching is required to be of simple type. The structure of complex double Hurwitz numbers is studied in [\textit{I. P. Goulden} et al., Adv. Math. 198, No. 1, 43--92 (2005; Zbl 1086.14022)]. The real analogs of complex double Hurwitz numbers have been considered in [\textit{A. Cadoret}, Pac. J. Math. 219, No. 1, 53--81 (2005; Zbl 1098.12002)]. In [\textit{H. Markwig} and \textit{J. Rau}, Math. Z. 281, No. 1--2, 501--522 (2015; Zbl 1401.14238)], it was shown that the counts of real Hurwitz numbers can be obtained using tropical geometric techniques. Following this tropical approach, the author proves lower bounds for the counts of real double Hurwitz numbers. Although the counts of real double Hurwitz numbers typically depend on the explicit choice of branch points, the bounds obtained in this article are independent of such choices. In the article, also asymptotic statements about real Hurwitz numbers are obtained. In particular, in certain cases, the rate of growth of complex and real Hurwitz numbers on the logarithmic scale are shown to be equal.