Although the spectra of random networks have been studied for a long time, the influence of network topology on the dense limit of network spectra remains poorly understood. By considering the configuration model of networks with four distinct degree distributions, we show that the spectral density of the adjacency matrices of dense random networks is determined by the strength of the degree fluctuations. In particular, the eigenvalue distribution of dense networks with an exponential degree distribution is governed by a simple equation, from which we uncover a logarithmic singularity in the spectral density. We also derive a relation between the fourth moment of the eigenvalue distribution and the variance of the degree distribution, which leads to a sufficient condition for the breakdown of the Wigner semicircle law for dense random networks. Based on the same relation, we propose a classification scheme of the distinct universal behaviours of the spectral density in the dense limit. Our theoretical findings should lead to important insights on the mean-field behaviour of models defined on graphs.
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