The role of the LIRG and ULIRG phases in the evolution of K$\mathsf{_{s}}$-selected galaxies

Abstract

Aims. We investigate the role of the luminous infrared galaxy (LIRG) and ultra-luminous infrared galaxy (ULIRG) phases in the evolution of K-s-selected galaxies and, in particular, Extremely Red Galaxies (ERGs). Methods. With this aim, we compare the properties of a sample of 2905 K-s 1 x 10(11) M-circle dot assembled at redshift z = 0.5. A minimum of 65% of the galaxies with M > 2.5 x 10(11) M-circle dot at z approximate to 2-3 are ULIRGs at those redshifts. 60% of the ULIRGs in our sample have the characteristic colours of ERGs. Conversely, 40% of the ERGs with stellar mass M > 1.3 x 10(11) M-circle dot at 1.5 1 x 10(11) M-circle dot) galaxies present in the Universe at a given time, this fraction becomes very significant (greater than or similar to 50%) at redshifts z greater than or similar to 2.