  We have investigated the role that different galaxy types have in
galaxy-galaxy interactions in compact groups. N-body simulations of 6 galaxies
consisting of a differing mixture of galaxy types were run to compare the
relative importance of galaxy population demographic on evolution. Three
different groups with differing galaxy content were tested: all spiral, a
single elliptical and 50% elliptical. Tidal interaction strength and duration
were recorded to assess the importance of an interaction. A group with an equal
number of spiral and elliptical galaxies has some of the longest and strongest
interactions with elliptical-elliptical interactions being most significant.
These elliptical-elliptical interactions are not dominated by a single large
event but consist of multiple interactions. Elliptical galaxies tidally
interacting with spiral galaxies, have the next strongest interaction events.
For the case when a group only has a single elliptical, the largest magnitude
tidal interaction is an elliptical on a spiral. Spirals interact with each
other through many small interactions. For a spiral only group, the
interactions are the weakest compared to the other group types. These spiral
interactions are not dominated by any singular event that might be expected to
lead to a merger but are more of an ongoing harassment. These results suggest
that within a compact group, early type galaxies will not form via merger out
of an assemblage of spiral galaxies but rather that compact groups, in effect
form around an early type galaxy.
