Complexes of nonseparating curves and mapping class groups (Q874371)

Let \(R\) be a compact connected orientable surface of genus \(g\) with \(p\) boundary components and let Mod\(_R^*\) denote the extended mapping class group of \(R\), the group of isotopy classes of all self-homeomorphisms of \(R\). The curve complex \({\mathcal C}(R)\) is an abstract simplicial complex whose vertices are isotopy classes of simple closed curves on \(R\) which are homotopically nontrivial and are not parallel to a boundary component. A set of vertices represented by pairwise disjoint curves is declared to be a simplex. A simplicial map \({\mathcal C}(R)\to {\mathcal C}(R)\) is called superinjective if it preserves nondisjointness, as well as disjointness. The superinjective simplicial maps of the complex \({\mathcal C}(R)\) were first defined and studied by the author. In [Topology 43, No.~3, 513--541 (2004; Zbl 1052.57024) and Topology Appl. 153 No.~8, 1309--1340 (2006; Zbl 1100.57020)], she proved that if \(g\geq 3\) or \(g=2\) and \(p\geq 2\) then any superinjective simplicial map \({\mathcal C}(R)\to {\mathcal C}(R)\) is induced by a homeomorphism of \(R\). As an application, she was able give a description injections of subgroups of finite index of Mod\(_R^*\) into Mod\(_R^*\). In the first part of the present paper, the result on superinjective maps of the curve complex is extended to the case \(g=2\) and \(p\leq 1\), giving the similar application for the finite index subgroups of the mapping class group. In the second part of the paper, the complex \({\mathcal N}(R)\) of nonseparating curves is considered. \({\mathcal N}(R)\) is a subcomplex of \({\mathcal C}(R)\) whose vertices are isotopy classes of nonseparating simple closed curves. The simplices of \({\mathcal N}(R)\) are defined similarly. It is shown that under the assumption \(g\geq 2\) and \(p\leq g-1\), any superinjective simplicial map of \({\mathcal N}(R)\to {\mathcal N}(R)\) is induced by a homeomorphism \(R\to R\), deducing that the group of simplicial automorphisms of \({\mathcal N}(R)\) is isomorphic to Mod\(_R^*\) (divide out by the center if \((g,p)=(2,0)\)).