We identify type-preserving representations $\phi: \pi_1(\Sigma)\to \mathrm{ PSL}(2,\mathbb{ R})$ of the fundamental group of every punctured surface $\Sigma = \Sigma_{ g,p}$ that are not Fuchsian yet send all non-peripheral simple closed curves to hyperbolic elements, which give a negative answer to a question of Bowditch. These representations have relative Euler class $e(\phi) = \pm (\chi(\Sigma) + 1)$, and their $\mathrm{ PSL}(2,\mathbb{ R})$-conjugacy classes form a full-measure subset of $2p$ connected components of the relative character variety. We further show that, while these representations are not Fuchsian, their restrictions to certain subsurfaces of $\Sigma$ are Fuchsian.
Categories: math.GT