A mid-IR study of Hickson Compact Groups II. Multi-wavelength analysis
  of the complete GALEX-Spitzer Sample
  We present a comprehensive study on the impact of the environment of compact
galaxy groups on the evolution of their members using a multi-wavelength
analysis, from the UV to the infrared, for a sample of 32 Hickson compact
groups (HCGs) containing 135 galaxies. Fitting the SEDs of all galaxies with
the state-of-the-art model of da Cunha (2008) we can accurately calculate their
mass, SFR, and extinction, as well as estimate their infrared luminosity and
dust content. We compare our findings with samples of field galaxies,
early-stage interacting pairs, and cluster galaxies with similar data. We find
that classifying the groups as dynamically "old" or "young", depending on
whether or not at least one quarter of their members are early-type systems, is
physical and consistent with past classifications of HCGs based on their atomic
gas content. [...ABRIDGED...] We also examine their SF properties, UV-optical
and mid-IR colors, and we conclude that all the evidence point to an
evolutionary scenario in which the effects of the group environment and the
properties of the galaxy members are not instantaneous. Early on, the influence
of close companions to group galaxies is similar to the one of galaxy pairs in
the field. However, as the time progresses, the effects of tidal torques and
minor merging, shape the morphology and star formation history of the group
galaxies, leading to an increase of the fraction of early-type members and a
rapid built up of the stellar mass in the remaining late-type galaxies.
