For the full galaxy mass range, we find that previously observed trends of globular cluster (GC) system scaling parameters (number, luminosity or mass of all GCs in a galaxy normalized to the host galaxy luminosity or mass, e.g. S_L) as a function of
galaxy mass, holds irrespective of galaxy type or environment. The S_L-value of early-type galaxies is, on average, twice that of late-types. We derive theoretical predictions which describe remarkably well the observed GC system scaling parameter distributions given an assumed GC formation efficiency ({eta}), i.e. the ratio of total mass in GCs to galaxy halo mass. It has a mean value of {eta}=5.5e-5 , and an increasing scatter toward low galaxy mass. The excess {eta}-values of some massive galaxies compared to expectations from the mean model prediction, may be attributed to an efficient GC formation, inefficient production of field stars, accretion of low-mass high-{eta} galaxies or likely a mixture of all these effects.
We present deep HST ACS images of the post-starburt shell galaxy AM 0139-655. We find evidence for the presence of three distinct globular cluster subpopulations associated with this galaxy: a centrally concentrated young population (~ 0.4 Gyr), an i
ntermediate age population (~ 1 Gyr) and an old, metal-poor population similar to that seen around normal galaxies. The g-I color distribution of the clusters is bimodal with peaks at 0.85 and 1.35. The redder peak at g-I=1.35 is consistent with the predicted color for an old metal-poor population. The clusters associated with the peak at g-I=0.85 are centrally concentrated and interpreted as a younger and more metal-rich population. We suggest that these clusters have an age of ~ 0.4 Gyr and solar metallicity based on a comparison with population synthesis models. The luminosity function of these blue clusters is well represented by a power law. Interestingly, the brightest shell associated with the galaxy harbors some of the youngest clusters observed. This seems to indicate that the same merger event was responsible for the formation of both the shells and the young clusters. The red part of the color distribution contains several very bright clusters, which are not expected for an old, metal-poor population. Furthermore, the luminosity function of the red GCs cannot be fit well by either a single gaussian or a single power law. A composite (gaussian + power law) fit to the LF of the red clusters yields both a low rms and very plausible properties for an old population plus an intermediate-age population of GCs. Hence, we suggest that the red clusters in AM 0139-655 consist of two distinct GC subpopulations, one being an old, metal-poor population as seen in normal galaxies and one having formed during a recent dissipative galaxy merger.
