  Let $Y$ be a smooth curve embedded in a complex projective manifold $X$ of
dimension $n\geq 2$ with ample normal bundle $N_{Y|X}$. For every $p\geq 0$ let
$\alpha_p$ denote the natural restriction maps $\Pic(X)\to\Pic(Y(p))$, where
$Y(p)$ is the $p$-th infinitesimal neighbourhood of $Y$ in $X$. First one
proves that for every $p\geq 1$ there is an isomorphism of abelian groups
$\Coker(\gra_p)\cong\Coker(\gra_0)\oplus K_p(Y,X)$, where $K_p(Y,X)$ is a
quotient of the $\mathbb C$-vector space $L_p(Y,X):=\bigoplus\limits_{i=1}^p
H^1(Y, {\bf S}^i(N_{Y|X})^*)$ by a free subgroup of $L_p(Y,X)$ of rank strictly
less than the Picard number of $X$. Then one shows that $L_1(Y,X)=0$ if and
only if $Y\cong\mathbb P^1$ and $N_{Y|X}\cong\mathcal O_{\mathbb
P^1}(1)^{\oplus n-1}$. The special curves in question are by definition those
for which $\dim_{\mathbb C}L_1(Y,X)=1$. This equality is closely related with a
beautiful classical result of B. Segre. It turns out that $Y$ is special if and
only if either $Y\cong\mathbb P^1$ and $N_{Y|X}\cong\sO_{\pn
1}(2)\oplus\sO_{\pn 1}(1)^{\oplus n-2}$, or $Y$ is elliptic and
$\deg(N_{Y|X})=1$. After proving some general results on manifolds of dimension
$n\geq 2$ carrying special rational curves (e.g. they form a subclass of the
class of rationally connected manifolds which is stable under small projective
deformations), a complete birational classification of pairs $(X,Y)$ with $X$
surface and $Y$ special is given. Finally, one gives several examples of
special rational curves in dimension $n\geq 3$.
