Scaling relations for globular cluster systems in early-type galaxies. II. Is there an environmental dependence?

TL;DR

This study investigates how the properties and scaling relations of globular cluster systems in early-type galaxies depend on environmental density, revealing a second-order environmental influence on their characteristics.

Contribution

It extends previous work by analyzing a larger sample of globular cluster systems, identifying environmental dependence in their scaling relations.

Findings

Scaling relations show second-order dependence on environment.

Globular cluster system properties vary with galaxy environment.

Environmental density influences GCS spatial distribution and richness.

Abstract

The current properties of globular cluster systems (GCSs) are the result of the evolution experienced by their host galaxies, which shape the richness of the GCS as well as its spatial distribution, among other features. We carry out an analysis of the projected radial distribution of globular clusters for a sample of almost 30 early-type galaxies (ETGs) of intermediate and low luminosity, located in cluster environments (Virgo, Fornax and Coma). We also include in the study six ETGs, for which the parameters of their GCS radial profiles are publicly available. The final analysis is performed on an enlarged sample (~ 100 GCSs), by adding the GCSs of ETGs from our previous paper (Paper I). Scaling relations involving different parameters of the GCSs are obtained for the whole sample and complement those obtained in Paper I. Several of such relations point to a second-order dependence on the environmental density. Finally, the results are analysed in the literature context.