STRUCTURAL AND DYNAMICAL ANALYSIS OF THE HICKSON COMPACT-GROUPS

Based on the spectroscopic survey of de Carvalho et al., we analyze th e structural and dynamical properties of 17 Hickson compact groups. Th is analysis probes a region of 0.degrees 5 x 0.degrees 5 around each g roup and shows that most of them are part of larger structures. Our re sults also suggest that the Hickson sample is composed of different dy namical stages of the groups'' evolution. Specifically, we identify th ree possible evolutionary phases among groups in the sample: loose gro ups, core + halo systems, and compact groups, each one presenting a di stinct surface density profile. This sequence is consistent with the r eplenishment scenario for the formation and evolution of compact group s within larger and less dense systems.