On k-gonal loci in Severi varieties on general K3 surfaces and rational curves on hyperkaehler manifolds

In this paper we study the gonality of the normalizations of curves in the linear system $\vert H\vert$ of a general primitively polarized complex $K3$ surface $(S,H)$ of genus $p$. We prove two main results. First we give a necessary condition on $p, g, r, d$ for the existence of a curve in $ \vert H\vert$ with geometric genus $g$ whose normalization has a $g^ r_d$. Secondly we prove that for all numerical cases compatible with the above necessary condition, there is a family of \emph{nodal} curves in $\vert H\vert$ of genus $g$ carrying a $g^1_k$ and of dimension equal to the \emph{expected dimension} $\min\{2(k-1),g\}$. Relations with the Mori cone of the hyperk\"ahler manifold $\Hilb^ k(S)$ are discussed.