Distance-regular graphs with girth 3 or 4: I

We study the structure of a distance-regular graph Γ with girth 3 or 4. First, we find some relationships among the intersection numbers of Γ when Γ contains a cycle {u₁, u₂, u₃, u₄} with ?(u₁, u₃) = ?(u₂, u₄) = 2. These relationships imply the diameter d, valency k, and intersection numbers a₁ and c_d of Γ are related by $\text{d ≤}\text{(k + c}{}_{\mathrm{d}}\text{)}\text{(a}{}_1\text{+ 2)}$. Next, we show subgraphs induced by vertex neighbourhoods in distance-regular graphs where cycles mentioned above do not exist are related to certain strongly regular graphs.