We show that an n-dimensional generalized Robertson-Walker (GRW) space-time with divergence-free conformal curvature tensor exhibits a perfect fluid stress-energy tensor for any f (R) gravity model. Furthermore we prove that a conformally flat GRW spacetime is still a perfect fluid in both f (R) and quadratic gravity where other curvature invariants are considered.

Abstract. We introduce a new kind of Riemannian manifold that includes weakly-, pseudo-and pseudo projective-Ricci symmetric manifolds. The manifold is defined through a generalization of the so called Z tensor; it is named weakly Z symmetric and denoted by (W ZS)n. If the Z tensor is singular we give conditions for the existence of a proper concircular vector. For non singular Z tensor, we study the closedness property of the associated covectors and give sufficient conditions for the existence of a proper concircular vector in the conformally harmonic case, and the general form of the Ricci tensor. For conformally flat (W ZS)n manifolds, we derive the local form of the metric tensor.

Generalized Robertson-Walker spacetimes extend the notion of Robertson-Walker spacetimes, by allowing for spatial non-homogeneity. A survey is presented, with main focus on Chen's characterization in terms of a timelike concircular vector. Together with their most important properties, some new results are presented.

A second-order differential identity for the Riemann tensor is obtained, on a manifold with symmetric connection. Several old and some new differential identities for the Riemann and Ricci tensors descend from it. Applications to manifolds with Recurrent or Symmetric structures are discussed. The new structure of K-recurrency naturally emerges from an invariance property of an old identity by Lovelock.

In this paper we introduce a new notion of Z-tensor and a new kind of Riemannian manifold that generalize the concept of both pseudo Ricci symmetric manifold and pseudo projective Ricci symmetric manifold. Here the Z-tensor is a general notion of the Einstein gravitational tensor in General Relativity. Such a new class of manifolds with Z-tensor is named pseudoZ symmetric manifold and denoted by (PZS)n. Various properties of such an n-dimensional manifold are studied, especially focusing the cases with harmonic curvature tensors giving the conditions of closeness of the associated one-form. We study (PZS)n manifolds with harmonic conformal and quasi-conformal curvature tensor. We also show the closeness of the associated 1-form when the (PZS)n manifold becomes pseudo Ricci symmetric in the sense of Deszcz (see [A. Derdzinsky and C. L. Shen, Codazzi tensor fields, curvature and Pontryagin forms, Proc. London Math. Soc.47(3) (1983) 15–26; R. Deszcz, On pseudo symmetric spaces, Bull. Soc. Math. Belg. Ser. A44 (1992) 1–34]). Finally, we study some properties of (PZS)4 spacetime manifolds.