  We show that the virtual Euler characteristics of the moduli spaces of
$s$-pointed algebraic curves of genus $g$ can be determined from a polynomial
in $1/\gamma$ where $\gamma$ permits specialization, through $\gamma=1,$ to the
complex case treated by Harer and Zagier and, through $\gamma=1/2$, to the real
case. This polynomial appears to have geometric significance, and may be the
virtual Euler characteristic of some moduli space, as yet unidentified. This is
related to a conjecture that the indeterminate $b=\gamma^1-1$ is associated
with a combinatorial invariant of cell-decompositions through matrix models and
the Jack symmetric functions. The development uses Strebel differentials to
triangulate the moduli spaces, and the identification of $\gamma$ both as a
parameter in a Jack symmetric function and as a parameter in a matrix model
through generalized Selberg integrals.
