Strong log-convexity of genus sequences

For a graph G , and a nonnegative integer g , let a g ( G ) be the number of 2-cell embeddings of G in an orientable surface of genus g (counted up to the combinatorial homeomorphism equivalence). In 1989, Gross, Robbins, and Tucker [21] proposed a conjecture that the sequence a 0 ( G ) , a 1 ( G ) , a 2 ( G ) , … is log-concave for every graph G . This conjecture is reminiscent to the Heron–Rota–Welsh Log Concavity Conjecture that was recently resolved in the affirmative by June Huh et al. [24] , [1] , except that it is closer to the notion of Δ-matroids than to the usual matroids. In this short paper, we disprove the Log Concavity Conjecture of Gross, Robbins, and Tucker by providing examples that show strong deviation from log-concavity at multiple terms of their genus sequences.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Combinatorial Theory Series B
Published
2026-01-06
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jctb.2025.12.005
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Limits and Structures in Graph Theory
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
122.31
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article

Strong log-convexity of genus sequences

Bojan Mohar
1 citations
Journal of Combinatorial Theory Series B
Limits and Structures in Graph Theory
122.31
article

Strong log-convexity of genus sequences

Bojan Mohar
article en
1 citations

Abstract

For a graph G , and a nonnegative integer g , let a g ( G ) be the number of 2-cell embeddings of G in an orientable surface of genus g (counted up to the combinatorial homeomorphism equivalence). In 1989, Gross, Robbins, and Tucker [21] proposed a conjecture that the sequence a 0 ( G ) , a 1 ( G ) , a 2 ( G ) , … is log-concave for every graph G . This conjecture is reminiscent to the Heron–Rota–Welsh Log Concavity Conjecture that was recently resolved in the affirmative by June Huh et al. [24] , [1] , except that it is closer to the notion of Δ-matroids than to the usual matroids. In this short paper, we disprove the Log Concavity Conjecture of Gross, Robbins, and Tucker by providing examples that show strong deviation from log-concavity at multiple terms of their genus sequences.

Journal of Combinatorial Theory Series BVol. 178
Simon Fraser University (CA)
Openalex Percentile: Top 1%
Limits and Structures in Graph Theory
122.31
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Strong log-convexity of genus sequences — Bojan Mohar · Journal of Combinatorial Theory Series B (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS