Using a volume-limited sample of 550 groups from the Galaxy And Mass Assembly (GAMA) Galaxy Group Catalogue spanning the halo mass range $12.8 < log [M_{h}/M] < 14.2$, we investigate the merging potential of central Brightest Group Galaxies (BGGs). We use spectroscopically-confirmed close-companion galaxies as an indication of the potential stellar mass build-up of low-redshift BGGs, $z leq 0.2$. We identify 17 close-companion galaxies with projected separations $r_{p} < 30$ kpc, relative velocities $Delta v leq 300$ km s$^{-1}$, and stellar-mass ratios $M_{BGG}/M_{CC} leq 4$ relative to the BGG. These close-companion galaxies yield a total pair fraction of $0.03 pm 0.01$. Overall, we find that BGGs in our sample have the potential to grow in stellar mass due to mergers by $2.2 pm 1.5%$ Gyr$^{-1}$. This is lower than the stellar mass growth predicted by current galaxy evolution models.
Download