Abstract
We analyse the kinematic and chemical evolution of 203 distant spheroidal (elliptical and S0) galaxies at 0.2 < z < 0.8 which are located in different environments (rich clusters, lowโmass clusters and in the field). VLT/FORS and CAHA/MOSCA spectra with intermediateโresolution have been acquired to measure the internal kinematics and stellar populations of the galaxies. From HST/ACS and WFPC2 imaging, surface brightness profiles and structural parameters were derived for half of the galaxy sample. The scaling relations of the FaberโJackson relation and Kormendy relation as well as the Fundamental Plane indicate a moderate evolution for the whole galaxy population in each density regime. In all environments, S0 galaxies show a faster evolution than elliptical galaxies. For the cluster galaxies a slight radial dependence of the evolution out to one virial radius is found. Dividing the samples with respect to their mass, a mass dependent evolution with a stronger evolution of lowerโmass galaxies (M < 2 ร 10^11^ M~โ~) is detected. Evidence for recent star formation is provided by blue colours and weak [OII] emission or strong H__ฮด__ absorption features in the spectra. The results are consistent with a downโsizing formation scenario which is independent from the environment of the galaxies (ยฉ 2009 WILEYโVCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)