On the structure of connected components of the moduli spaces of compact Riemann surfaces (Q6100710)

Let \(g \geq 2\), and let \(\mathcal{M}_g\) be the moduli space of compact Riemann surfaces of genus \(g\). The singular locus \(\mathcal{S}_g\) of \(\mathcal{M}_g\) consists of the points representing surfaces with nontrivial conformal automorphisms. This locus \(\mathcal{S}_g\) is disconnected except for a few values of \(g\). The present paper deals with the connected components of \(\mathcal{S}_g\). \textit{G. Bartolini} and \textit{M. Izquierdo} proved in [Proc. Am. Math. Soc. 1450, No. 1, 35--45 (2012; Zbl. 1262.30036)] that one connected component, called \(\mathcal{C}_g^{2,3}\), contains all strata corresponding to the actions of \(Z_2\) and \(Z_3\). All other known connected components were composed by single strata. The aim of the paper under review is to answer the question whether there are components other than \(\mathcal{C}_g^{2,3}\) which are the union of at least two different strata. That question was stated by \textit {G. Bartolini} et al. in page 256 of [Ann. Acad. Sci. Fenn. Math. 38, No. 1, 245--258 (2013; Zbl. 1279.14032)]. The authors solve this problem in the affirmative, in a constructive way. They show that for \(r \geq 6\), and prime \(p > 5r+3\), such that \(rp+2\) is a prime, there exists a connected component in \(\mathcal{S}_g\) for \(g = rp(p-1)/2\) composed by two strata. These strata have dimensions \(pr-1\) and \(r-1\), and they correspond to certain actions of the groups \(Z_p\) and \(Z_{p^2}\), respectively.