Optimal connectivity results for spheres in the curve graph of low and medium complexity surfaces

Abstract

Answering a question of Wright, we show that spheres of any radius are always connected in the curve graph of surfaces $\Sigma_{2,0}, \Sigma_{1,3},$ and $\Sigma_{0,6}$, and the union of two consecutive spheres is always connected for $\Sigma_{0, 5}$ and $\Sigma_{1,2}$. We also classify the connected components of spheres of radius 2 in the curve graph of $\Sigma_{0, 5}$ and $\Sigma_{1,2}$.