Cusp disruption in minor mergers

We present 0.55 x 10(6) particle simulations of the accretion of high-densi ty dwarf galaxies by low-density giant galaxies, using models that contain both power-law central density cusps and point masses representing supermas sive black holes. The cusp of the dwarf galaxy is disrupted during the merg er, producing a remnant with a central density that is only slightly higher than that of the giant galaxy initially. Removing the black hole from the giant galaxy allows the dwarf galaxy to remain intact and leads to a remnan t with a high central density, contrary to what is observed. Our results su pport the hypothesis that the persistence of low-density cores in giant gal axies is a consequence of supermassive black holes.