A note on splitting numbers for Galois covers and π1-equivalent Zariski k-plets

In this paper, we introduce splitting numbers of subvarieties in a smooth complex variety for a Galois cover, and prove that the splitting numbers are invariant under certain homeomorphisms. In particular cases, we show that splitting numbers enable us to distinguish the topology of complex plane curves even if the fundamental groups of the complements of plane curves are isomorphic. Consequently, we prove that there are π1-equivalent Zariski k-plets for any integer k ≥ 2.