Minimally k-connected graphs of low order and maximal size

Let G be a minimally k-connected graph of order n and size e(G).Mader 4] proved that (i) $\text{e(G)?kn?(}\text{k+1}\text{2}\text{)}$; (ii) e(G)?k(n?k) if n?3k?2, and the complete bipartite graph K_k,n?k is the only minimally k-connected graph of order; n and size k(n?k) when k?2 and n?3k?1.The purpose of the present paper is to determine all minimally k-connected graphs of low order and maximal size. For each n such that k+1?n?3k?2 we prove $\text{e(G)??}\text{(n+k)}{}^2\text{8}\text{?}$ and characterize all minimally k-connected graphs of order n and size $\text{?(}\text{(n+k)}{}^2\text{8}\text{?}$.