The space of nodal curves of type \(p,q\) with given Weierstraß semigroup (Q2376344)

Let \(1<p<q\) be positive integers and \(k\) an algebraically closed field of characteristic zero. A polynomial \(y^p - x^q + \sum_{vp+uq<pq} a_{vu} x^vy^u\), \(a_{vu} \in k\), is called a normed Weierstrass polynomial of type \(p,q\). Plane curves given by zero sets of polynomials as above are named curves of type \(p,q\). These curves have only one place at infinity and can be identified with the points \((a_{vu})\) in the affine space \(\mathbb{A}^n_k\), where \(n=\frac{1}{2}(p+1)(q+1) -1\). Nodal curves of this type have at most \(d=\frac{1}{2}(p-1)(q-1)\) nodes and the authors prove that for each \(0 \leq l \leq d\), there exists a nodal curve of type \(p,q\) having exactly \(l\) nodes. The paper also provides a necessary and sufficient condition for a semigroup to be the Weierstrass semigroup of a curve as above. With that condition, the authors find a class of Weierstrass semigroup that has not been described in the literature.