Vertex Clique Covering Numbers Of \(r\)-Regular \((r-2)\)-Edge-Connected Graphs

Let \(G\) be a finite simple graph. The vertex clique covering number \({vcc}(G)\) of \(G\) is the smallest number of cliques (complete subgraphs) needed to cover the vertex set of \(G\). In this paper, we study the function \({vcc}(G)\) for the case when \(G\) is \(r\)-regular and \((r-2)\)-edge-connected. A sharp upper bound for \({vcc}(G)\) is determined. Further, the set of possible values of \({vcc}(G)\) when \(G\) is a \(4\)-regular connected graph is determined.