Given a countable group $G$ splitting as a free product $G=G_1\ast\dots\ast G_k\ast F_N$, we establish classification results for subgroups of the group $Out(G,\mathcal{ F})$ of all outer automorphisms of $G$ that preserve the conjugacy classes of each $G_i$. We show that every finitely generated subgroup $H\subseteq Out(G,\mathcal{ F})$ either contains a relatively fully irreducible automorphism, or else it virtually preserves the conjugacy class of a proper free factor relative to the decomposition (the finite generation hypothesis on $H$ can be dropped for $G=F_N$, or more generally when $G$ is toral relatively hyperbolic). In the first case, either $H$ virtually preserves a nonperipheral conjugacy class in $G$, or else $H$ contains an atoroidal automorphism. The key geometric tool to obtain these classification results is a description of the Gromov boundaries of relative versions of the free factor graph $\mathrm{ FF}$ and the $\mathcal{ Z}$-factor graph $\mathcal{ Z}\mathrm{ F}$, as spaces of equivalence classes of arational trees (respectively relatively free arational trees). We also identify the loxodromic isometries of $\mathrm{ FF}$ with the fully irreducible elements of $Out(G,\mathcal{ F})$, and loxodromic isometries of $\mathcal{ Z}\mathrm{ F}$ with the fully irreducible atoroidal outer automorphisms.
Categories: math.GR math.GT