The merger history of massive spheroids since z~1 is size independent
  Using a compilation of 379 massive (stellar mass M > 10^{11} M_Sun)
spheroid-like galaxies from the near-infrared Palomar/DEEP-2 survey, we have
probed, up to z~1, whether the presence of companions depends on the size of
the host galaxies. We have explored the presence of companions with mass ratios
down to 1:10 and 1:100, with respect to the central massive galaxy, and within
a projected distance of 30, 50 and 100 kpc of these objects. We find evidence
for these companions being equally distributed around both compact and extended
massive spheroids. This finding suggests that, at least since z~1, the merger
activity in these objects is rather homogeneous across the whole population and
its merger history is not affected for the size of the host galaxy. Our result
could indicate that both compact and extended massive spheroid-like galaxies
are growing in size at the same rate.
