Khovanskii-finite rational curves of arithmetic genus 2

Abstract

We study the existence of Khovanskii-finite valuations for rational curves of arithmetic genus two. We provide a semi-explicit description of the locus of degree $n+2$ rational curves in $\mathbb{P}^n$ of arithmetic genus two that admit a Khovanskii-finite valuation. Furthermore, we describe an effective method for determining if a rational curve of arithmetic genus two defined over a number field admits a Khovanskii-finite valuation. This provides a criterion for deciding if such curves admit a toric degeneration. Finally, we show that rational curves with a single unibranched singularity are always Khovanskii-finite if their arithmetic genus is sufficiently small.