Note on topologically singular points in the moduli space of Riemann surfaces of genus 2 (Q2331711)

For an integer number \(g \geq 2\) let \(\mathcal{M}_g\) be the moduli space of surfaces of genus \(g\) and let \(\mathcal{B}_g\) be the branch locus of this space. A point \(X\) of \(\mathcal{B}_g\) is topologically singular if \(X\) has not a neighbourhood in \(\mathcal{M}_g\) homeomorphic to a \(6g-6\) ball. \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 authors of the present paper gave a new proof of the \textit{H. E. Rauch}'s result in [Rev. R. Acad. Cienc. Exactas Fís. Nat., Ser. A Mat., RACSAM 112, 685--692 (2018; Zbl.1404.32026)]. In the proof they used the uniformization of Riemann surfaces and of their automorphism groups by means of Fuchsian groups, but in the case of \(g=2\), the method was not suitable. The case of singular points in \(\mathcal{M}_2\) is found in [\textit{J. I. Igusa}, Ann. Math. 72, 612--649 (1960; Zbl.0122.39002)], but in Igusa's paper, the methods come from algebraic geometry. Due the importance of the case \(g=2\), the authors of the paper under review give here a topological proof for this case. Furthermore, the proof provides a careful description of the local behavior of the map \(\Pi\) from the Teichmüller space \(\mathbb{T}_2\) into \(\mathcal{M}_2\). Let \(X\) be a Riemann surface of genus 2 and let \(h\) be the hyperelliptic involution. The quotient group \(\text{Aut}(X)/\langle{h}\rangle\) is the reduced group of automorphisms of \(X\). In the present paper it is proved (Theorem 2) that the Kulkarni isolated point \(X_5\) of \(\mathcal{M}_2\) is the unique topologically singular point in \(\mathcal{M}_2\). In the proof, the locus is divided in six strata. For strata numbered 1, 2 and 3, the authors describe the surfaces belonging to them, give the dimension and the full and reduced group of automorphisms. Also, the equations of the sextic curves corresponding to the surfaces are given. Each stratum numbered as 4, 5 and 6 consists of a unique surface, denoted by \(X_{12}, X_{24}\) (Bolza surface) and \(X_5\), respectively. The reduced groups of automorphims of these three surfaces are given and the corresponding sextics as well. A case-by-case study allows to prove that the unique isolated point is \(X_5\). This curve was firstly study by Wiman. In the introduction, the authors point out that Igusa and Rauch claim, in their respective papers, that the result was first discovered by Gerstenhaber. There, they also apologize for a mistaken sentence in their aforementioned paper.