Nuclear spectra of polar-ring galaxies

We report the results of spectroscopic observations of eight southern polar -ring galaxies (PRGs), in the wavelength range 5900-7300 Angstrom. We find that five out of eight galaxies contain LINERs or Sy nuclei. Taking into co nsideration all PRGs with available spectral data, we estimate that about h alf of all PRGs and PRG candidates have either LINER or Seyfert nuclei. The observed widths of the [N II]lambda 6583 line in the nuclei of early-type PRGs follow the linewidth-absolute luminosity relation for normal E/SO gala xies. We found that one of the observed galaxies - ESO 576-G69 - is a new k inematically-confirmed polar-ring galaxy with a spiral host.