Some characterizations of quaternionic space forms (Q5928552)

The authors prove that any of the following two properties characterize quaternionic space forms in the class of quaternionic Kähler manifolds \(M\): 1) \(R(X,JX)X\) is proportional to \(JX\) for all tangent vectors \(X\in T_pM\) to \(M\) and all complex structures \(J\) on \(T_pM\) subordinate to the quaternionic structure. 2) Geodesics in geodesic spheres \(S \subset M\) of sufficiently small radius are circles of positive curvature in \(M\) provided that their velocity vector field is perpendicular to the maximal quaternionic distribution in \(S\). The complex analogues of these two results were proven, respectively, by \textit{E. Kosmanek} [C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris 259, 705-708 (1964; Zbl 0122.16704)] and in previous work of the authors [Bull. Aust. Math. Soc. 62, No. 2, 205-210 (2000; Zbl 0978.53071)].