  The galaxy group NGC 5044 consists of a luminous giant elliptical galaxy
surrounded by a cluster of approximately 160 low luminosity and dwarf galaxies,
mostly of early type. The cumulative projected radial distribution of dwarf
galaxies in the NGC 5044 group, unlike distributions of more luminous galaxies
in rich clusters, does not follow a projected dark matter (NFW) profile.
Instead, a deficiency or absence of low luminosity galaxies is apparent in NGC
5044 within about 350 kpc, about one third of the current group virial radius.
Most of the dwarf galaxies identified in NGC 5044 entered the virial radius at
redshifts less than about 2 or 3, and very few entered at higher redshifts. The
peculiar, non-NFW shape of the projected cumulative dwarf galaxy distribution
in NGC 5044 within 350 kpc resembles the characteristic shallow cumulative
distribution of dark subhalos that are also known to be relatively young.
Dynamical friction is unlikely to explain the apparent lack of group member
galaxies at small radii in NGC 5044.
