Effects of superstructure environment on galaxy groups

Abstract

We analyse properties of galaxy groups and their dependence on the large-scale environment as defined by superstructures. We find that group–galaxy cross-correlations depend only on group properties regardless the groups reside in superstructures. This indicates that the total galaxy density profile around groups is independent of the global environment. At a given global luminosity, a proxy to group total mass, groups have a larger stellar mass content by a factor of 1.3, a relative excess independent of the group luminosity. Groups in superstructures have 40 per cent higher velocity dispersions and systematically larger minimal enclosing radii. We also find that the stellar population of galaxies in groups in superstructures is systematically older as inferred from the galaxy spectra Dn4000 parameter. Although the galaxy number density profile of groups is independent of environment, the star formation rate and stellar mass profile of the groups residing in superstructures differ from groups elsewhere. For groups residing in superstructures, the combination of a larger stellar mass content and star formation rate produces a larger time-scale for star formation regardless the distance to the group centre. Our results provide evidence that groups in superstructures formed earlier than elsewhere, as expected in the assembly bias scenario.