GLOBULAR-CLUSTER SYSTEMS OF EARLY-TYPE GALAXIES

Properties of 53 globular cluster systems are investigated. Strong cor relations are found between parent galaxy luminosity and both the slop e of the radial density profile for clusters and the width of the clus ter color (metallicity) distribution. These correlations are in the se nse that the most luminous early-type galaxies are embedded in cluster systems that have the shallowest radial gradients and exhibit the bro adest color distributions. The data suggest a scenario in which lumino us early-type galaxies have a more complex evolutionary history than f ainter ones. A problem with the interpretation of the present data is that it is difficult, or impossible, to disentangle the strongly corre lated effects of high parent galaxy luminosity, presence of a core or boxy isophotes, and shallow radial cluster density gradients.