# New catalogue of Wolf-Rayet galaxies and high-excitation extra-galactic Hii regions

## 1 Introduction

Wolf-Rayet (WR) galaxies are extragalactic objects whose integrated spectra show direct signatures from WR stars, most commonly a broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 feature originating in the stellar winds of these stars. Since the first detection of such a feature in He 2-10 (Allen et al. 1976), a large number of WR galaxies have been reported, some in systematic searches (e.g. Kunth & Joubert 1985), but mostly serendipitously. For example many objects with WR features have been found in samples of high S/N spectra of low metallicity extra-galactic Hii regions aimed at deriving the primordial He abundance (cf. Izotov & Thuan 1998). It must be reminded to use the term WR “galaxy” with caution. Depending e.g. on the distance of the object and the spatial extension of the observation, the region of concern may be “just” a single extra-galactic Hii region with a few WR stars in a galaxy or the nucleus of a powerful starburst galaxy harbouring numerous massive stars.

Since the compilation of Conti (1991) listing 37 objects, the number of known WR galaxies has grown rapidly to more than 130 in the present catalogue. Interestingly many objects are now found showing additional features from WR stars in their spectra. E.g. the broad emission lines of N iii $`\lambda `$4640 and/or C iii $`\lambda `$4650 as well as C iv $`\lambda `$5808, among the strongest optical lines in WN and WC stars, are increasingly often being detected. Lines originating from WC stars (representing more evolved phases than WN stars) provide useful independent and complementary information on the massive star content in these regions (e.g. Schaerer et al. 1999).

By definition it is not surprising that WR galaxies do not form a homogeneous class. Indeed, WR galaxies are found among a large variety of morphological types, from low-mass blue compact dwarf (BCDs) and irregular galaxies, to massive spirals and luminous merging IRAS galaxies. Recent studies also quite convincingly show the evidence of signatures from WR stars in Seyfert 2 and LINERs (Osterbrock & Cohen 1982, Ho et al 1995, Heckman et al. 1997, Storchi-Bergmann et al. 1998, Kunth & Contini 1998). Allen (1995) claims even the possible detection of WR stars in central cluster galaxies of two cooling flows out to a redshift of $`z`$ 0.25.

Empirically all WR galaxies show nebular emission lines. The absolute scales (absolute magnitudes, ionizing fluxes etc.) of the investigated objects vary greatly; generally speaking the properties of WR galaxies overlap with those of other emission line galaxies and form a continuous extension of giant Hii regions (Conti 1991).

For most “traditional” WR galaxies (e.g. Hii galaxies, BCDs etc.) the nebular spectrum is likely due to photoionization of stellar origin. However, this statement does obviously not hold in general, e.g. for Seyfert 2 and LINER revealing the presence of WR stars. Among the former “class” a considerable fraction ($``$ 1/3 in the present compilation) of objects also show nebular He ii $`\lambda `$4686 emission in addition to the broad WR feature. This line is also present in some giant Hii regions where no WR features have been detected. Except in planetary nebulae, nebular He ii $`\lambda `$4686 emission is very rarely found in Galactic Hii regions (cf. Garnett et al. 1991, Schaerer 1997). Its origin, requiring sources with sufficient photons of energy $`>`$ 54 eV, has remained puzzling (see Garnett et al. 1991 and references therein). Supported by quantitative modeling, Schaerer (1996) has suggested that the origin of nebular He ii $`\lambda `$4686 emission is intimately linked with the appearance of hot WR stars. To facilitate systematic analysis on the origin of nebular He ii $`\lambda `$4686 emission we therefore also include the relevant information on objects showing this line. Such studies have a bearing on our understanding of physical processes in Hii regions and related nebulae, the ionizing fluxes of starbursts and their contribution to the ionization of the intergalactic medium etc. (cf. Garnett et al. 1991, Schaerer et al. 1998, Stasińska 1998).

The minimum common property of all WR galaxies is (provided our the origin of the considered line and our understanding of stellar evolution is correct) ongoing or recent star formation which has produced stars massive enough to evolve to the WR stage. This indicates typically ages of $``$ 10 Myr and stars with initial masses $`M_{\mathrm{ini}}`$ 20 M (Maeder & Conti 1994).

WR galaxies are therefore ideal objects to study the early phases of starbursts, determine burst properties (age, duration, SFR), and to constrain parameters (i.e. slope and upper mass cut-off) of the upper part of the initial mass function (see e.g. Arnault et al. 1989, Mas-Hesse & Kunth 1991, 1998, Krüger et al. 1992, Vacca & Conti 1992, Meynet 1995, Contini et al. 1995, Schaerer 1996, Schaerer et al. 1999). Conversely studies of the stellar populations in super star clusters frequently formed in starbursts and WR galaxies (Conti & Vacca 1994, Meurer et al.1995) can also place constraints on stellar evolution models for massive stars, e.g. at extremely low metallicities, which are inaccessible in the Local Group (cf. I Zw 18: Izotov et al. 1997b, Legrand et al. 1997, de Mello et al. 1998).

As galaxies exhibiting intense star formation are being discovered in large numbers at progressively larger distances, “template” systems become increasingly important for our understanding of distant objects which cannot be studied to the same depth. As such WR galaxies represent useful templates of young starbursts which show close resemblance to recently discovered high redshift galaxies (cf. Leitherer et al. 1996, Ebbels et al. 1996, Lowenthal et al. 1997).

The present compilation should facilitate future systematic studies on some of the issues discussed above. The structure of the paper is as follows. In Sect. 2 we review the searches undertaken up to date for WR galaxies. In Sect. 3 the compilation of all known WR galaxies is presented. Brief remarks on each individual object are given in Sect. 4. The list of extra-galactic Hii regions showing only nebular He ii $`\lambda `$4686 is given in Sect. 5. Suspected WR galaxies are discussed in Sect. 6. A brief discussion and our main conclusions are found in Sect. 7.

## 2 Searches for WR galaxies

Few systematic searches for WR populations outside the Local Group (or “WR galaxies”) have been undertaken. In this Section we briefly summarise the studies explicitly devoted to the detection of WR signatures. A list of candidate WR galaxies resulting from some of these searches or found loosely in the literature is provided in Sect. 6. The WR galaxies issued from the searches described below are included in our list and represent the vast majority of detections. Let us now briefly summarise the properties of the spectroscopic and narrow-band imaging searches.

### 2.1 Spectroscopic searches

The first search for WR features in giant Hii regions of nearby galaxies was carried out by D’Odorico et al. (1983). The latest update from their study is summarised by Rosa & D’Odorico (1986). Data from their work was included in the quantitative analysis by Arnault et al. (1989).

The most detailed search was undertaken by Kunth & Joubert (1985) from a sample of 45 “lazy” galaxies (blue emission-line galaxies forming stars by intermittent short bursts) from various sources. In their statistical approach they measure the excess emission above the continuum between 4600-4711 Å (rest wavelength) after subtracting a typical nebular contamination taken as a function of the excitation level and abundance. Their search yielded 19 regions (15 different objects) with excess emission above 0.8 $`\sigma `$.

A systematic search for a broad WR bump in all the Hii galaxies included in the catalogue of Terlevich et al. (1991) was presented by Masegosa et al. (1991). Earlier publications using a subset of the same observational data had also reported some WR detections and nebular He ii $`\lambda `$4686 (Campbell & Smith 1986, Campbell et al. 1986). Positive detections were considered by Masegosa et al. when the “blue bump” was at least 1 $`\sigma `$ over the continuum level and clearly discernible from the nebular He ii $`\lambda `$4686 line. Their search yielded 37 detections ($``$ 10% of the sample); 14 of these objects have spectra with a spectral resolution of $``$ 5 Å FWHM, which the authors estimate to be “good enough” to reliably detect WR stars. Only these objects (their Table 2) were included in our list as confirmed WR galaxies. The remaining objects are classified here as “candidates” (Sect. 6).

Recently Pindao (1998) and Pindao et al. (1999) have reanalysed the spectra from the Terlevich et al. catalogue and $``$ 100 additional emission line galaxies for their WR content. Objects with a clear detection of broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 are retained as WR galaxies here (See Pindao 1998. The detection level corresponds to $``$ 0.8 $`\sigma `$, i.e. category 4 of Pindao et al. 1999). Category 3 objects (WR bump detection at $``$ 0.5 $`\sigma `$) from Pindao et al. (1999) are classified here as “WR candidates”.

Robledo-Rella & Conti (1993) presented a search for WR features in a selected sample of northern Hii galaxies; candidates are given in Sect. 6.

First results from a new search for WR signatures in young starbursts have been presented by Contini (1996) and Kovo & Contini (1998).

An ongoing systematic search for WR galaxies has been mentioned by Huang et al. (1998).

According to Izotov (1998, private communication) the observational data gathered primarily for accurate determinations of the helium abundance since 1993 (see Izotov et al., 1994, 1996, 1997a; Thuan et al. 1995, Izotov & Thuan 1998) are being systematically re-analysed for their WR content (Guseva et al. 1998, Izotov et al. 1998). Adding 10 newly observed objects, their sample mostly including blue compact galaxies consists of $``$ 70 spectra. While the initial sample contained essentially very metal-poor objects, metallicities up to $``$ solar are now also included. The majority of the WR detections have been mentioned in the above papers; in total Guseva et al. (1998) and Izotov et al. (1998) find 41 WR galaxies, defined by broad emission between $``$ 4620 – 4700 Å. Often several broad features are pointed out in the blue bump (He ii $`\lambda `$4686, N iii $`\lambda `$4640, but also other lines they identify as N iii $`\lambda `$ 4510, N ii $`\lambda `$ 4565, N v $`\lambda `$4605,4620, C iv$`\lambda `$4658). According to their study 28 spectra also show broad C iv $`\lambda `$5808. Finally, few detections of broad He ii $`\lambda `$5412, C iii$`\lambda `$5696, and also C ii$`\lambda `$4267 are signaled. We retain all except one WR galaxy (Mrk 1026=NGC 848 showing no broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686) from their study.

### 2.2 Narrow-band imaging and others

Drissen et al. (1993) have conducted a search for He ii $`\lambda `$4686 emission via narrow-band imagery in four low mass galaxies (GR8, NGC 2366, IC 2574, NGC 1569). Two of them are now confirmed WR galaxies (see above), IC 2574 remains to be studied spectroscopically, and GR8 yielded negative results (no He ii).

Schmidt-Kaler & Feitzinger (1984) initiated a search for 30 Dor and NGC 604 like objects based on POSS, ESO-Blue, and SRC film. To the best of our knowledge results from this survey have not been published.

## 3 New catalogue of WR galaxies

In this Section we present an updated list of all “WR galaxies” outside the Local Group. As pointed out earlier we remind the reader that the working definition for WR galaxies refers only to the detection of a broad WR feature in an integrated spectrum, irrespectively of the included area. This fact must be taken into account in subsequent interpretations. By this working definition we also include some nearby objects (e.g. NGC 300) which, although already known to harbour WR stars, were not included in the catalogue of Conti (1991). An inventory of the Galactic WR stars is found in the 7th catalogue of van der Hucht et al. (1998; cf. van der Hucht 1996). For individual WR stars and WR populations in the Local Group see e.g. the review of Massey (1996).

### 3.1 Selection criteria and procedure

During the last three years the literature was followed for any publication relating to possible or confirmed signatures from WR stars in extragalactic objects. At the end of july 1998 we also made a systematic search in the Astrophysics Data System (ADS) for the occurrence of “WR”, “W-R”, “Wolf-Rayet”, or “Wolf Rayet” in all the included literature starting with 1970. The search yielded 1780 references to refereed papers, and 1061 other references, all of which were carefully inspected. In addition all publications from the IAU Symposia 67, 80, 83, 88, 99, 105, 116, 122, 143, 149, 163 were scanned. Although a complete inspection is not possible the present procedure should guarantee a fairly high degree of completeness.

For the inclusion in our list of “WR galaxies” the criteria are 1) the presence of broad emission at 4686 Å due to He ii, or 2) a broad “WR bump” at $``$ 4660 Å, or 3) other broad emission lines attributed to WR stars. The second criterion accounts for the difficulty of resolving He ii $`\lambda `$4686 from other emission lines in medium resolution spectra (see e.g. Kunth & Joubert 1985), but may in some cases introduce objects where nebular emission lines dominate the WR bump. Implicitly both criteria 1) and 2) were adopted in the earlier compilation of Conti (1991). The third criterion allows for objects where broad carbon lines (e.g. C iii $`\lambda `$5696, C iv $`\lambda `$5808) presumably from WR stars are detected. In practice only one case (NGC 1365 for which no blue spectrum was available) falls in this category.

The presence/absence of features and their qualification (broad and/or nebular) is generally not fully objective (see Sect. 2 for more details). Furthermore in many cases the spectra are not available for inspection. We therefore follow the procedure or judgement of the authors of the original publication.

All objects resulting from this selection are listed in Table 1. Obviously most of the objects appear in various catalogues. We have chose the following labeling priority: first the Messier number, then the NGC, the Markarian, the Zwicky lists, or finally other labels (UM, Tol, SBS, etc). Often several regions in the same object show WR features. In this case only the main object name is listed (column 1); information about the different regions are given in Sect. 4.

The general properties of objects, equatorial coordinates (equinox 1950, cols. 2 and 3), morphological type (col. 4), apparent blue magnitude (col. 5), and heliocentric radial velocity (col. 6) have been extracted from NED. Column 7 gives the reference of the first publication indicating the presence of broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686. “(C91)” indicates that this objects was already included in the compilation of Conti (1991). Col. 8 gives information about the existence of nebular He ii $`\lambda `$4686 (see footnote of the Table for the keys). The source of this information is found under the remarks on each individual object (Sect. 4). Col. 9 gives the reference to the first detection of broad C iv $`\lambda `$5808 (exceptionally also other broad features, cf. NGC 1365).

Our current compilation (Table 1) includes 139 WR galaxies (cf. 37 WR galaxies in Conti 1991). Among them 57 objects show also broad C iv $`\lambda `$5808 features. In addition to the broad (stellar) He ii $`\lambda `$4686 emission, a nebular He ii component is well established (suspected) in 44 (54) objects.

The database will be made available electronically at the CDS and through the Web<sup>1</sup><sup>1</sup>1informations at   
http://www.obs-mip.fr/omp/astro/people/schaerer. It is our intention to update the catalogue in the future by this means.

## 4 Remarks on individual WR galaxies

Below a brief comment is given for each object from Table 1 on the detected WR features and possible nebular He ii $`\lambda `$4686. In some objects the strongest nebular lines also show broad and/or asymmetric components, attributed to gaz-flows or broad stellar emission. These finding are also reported below.

NGC 53  — Detection of He ii $`\lambda `$4686 by Masegosa et al. (1991) from automatic search in Hii galaxy catalogue of Terlevich et al. (1991).

NGC 55  — Rosa & D’odorico (1986) surveyed eight giant Hii regions in NGC 55. Two were found with broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 and C iv $`\lambda `$5808 features.

UM 48  — Automatic detection by Masegosa et al. (1991). WR features unlikely according to the analysis of Pindao et al. (1999).

Mrk 960  — Broad features around 4700 Å were first suspected by S. Considère (private communication). A better spectrum of this galaxy confirms the presence of a broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 emission line (Kovo & Contini 1998).

NGC 300  — Fifteen positions were observed by D’Odorico et al. (1983) in this Sculptor group galaxy often considered as a twin of M 33. Two regions showed He ii $`\lambda `$4686 one also C iv $`\lambda `$5808. Several investigations were undertaken subsequently to search for individual WR stars or small clusters. The latest work (Breysacher et al. 1997, cf. references therein) detected 12 WR stars increasing the total to 34 known WR stars.

IRAS 01003-2238 — Broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 and N iii $`\lambda `$4640 emission has been observed by Armus et al. (1988). Other broad features are tentatively detected. Based on the equivalent withs of the WR-bump they estimate $``$ 10<sup>5</sup> WR stars are present in this luminous infrared galaxy, the most distant WR galaxy known so far.

UM 311  — This Hii region is possibly located in the galaxy NGC 450. Automatic detection of broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 by Masegosa et al. (1991). The high S/N spectrum of Izotov & Thuan (1998) shows both broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 and C iv $`\lambda `$5808 features, but no nebular He ii. A nebular component is also detected by Guseva et al. (1998). Pindao (1998) confirms the presence of a broad WR bump.

Tol 0121-376  — Masegosa et al. (1991) and Pindao (1998) signal the presence of a broad WR bump in this galaxy.

Minkowski’s Object  — A weak broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 feature and possible nebular He ii has been found by Breugel et al. (1985) in this “starburst triggered by a radio jet”. They also point out a close similarity of the emission line spectrum with the NGC 7714, a prototypical starburst galaxy.

Mrk 996  — This unusual blue compact galaxy shows He ii $`\lambda `$4686, N iii $`\lambda `$4640 and C iv $`\lambda `$5808 features in the HST FOS spectra of Thuan et al. (1996).

Mrk 589  — Guseva et al. (1998) point out the presence of broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 and several N lines in the blue bump, as well as broad C iv $`\lambda `$5808. The S/N in the red appears quite low for its detection.

UM 420  — Broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 emission has been found by Izotov & Thuan (1998). From their reanalysis Guseva et al. (1998) signal also nebular He ii and broad C iv $`\lambda `$5808. The S/N appears fairly low for the latter assertion.

Mrk 1039  — The presence of nebular and broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 and C iv $`\lambda `$5808 has been discovered by Huang et al. (1998) in this Hii galaxy.

Tol 0226-390  — Masegosa et al. (1991) and Pindao (1998) signal the presence of a broad WR bump in this galaxy.

Tol 0242-387  — Masegosa et al. (1991) and Pindao (1998) signal the presence of a broad WR bump in this galaxy.

Mrk 598  — Pindao (1998) signals the presence of a broad WR bump in the western knot of this galaxy.

NGC 1140  — A broad WR bump and C iv $`\lambda `$5808 are detected by Guseva et al. (1998).

NGC 1156  — Emission features of WR stars and a high-excitation Hii region in the nucleus are signaled by Ho et al. (1995) from their magnitude limited survey of nuclei of nearby galaxies. A close resemblance of the spectrum with NGC 4214 is pointed out. They also signal a broad $`\mathrm{H}\alpha `$ component.

NGC 1313  — WR features are found in two regions at large galactocentric radii of this Transition Magellanic galaxy (Walsh & Roy 1997). For region # 28 both He ii $`\lambda `$4686 and C iv $`\lambda `$5808 are found. No detailed information is provided about region # 3. Pindao et al. (1999) also signal the possible detection of broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686; exact position unknown.

NGC 1365  — The detection of broad C iii $`\lambda `$5696 and C iv $`\lambda `$5808 (marginally) in this giant extragalactic Hii region was made by Phillips & Conti (1992).

SBS 0335-052  — The first detection of nebular He ii $`\lambda `$4686 in this very low metallicity object was reported by Izotov et al. (1990). Nebular and broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 have been found in the reanalysis of Izotov et al. (1998); no broad features had been signaled by Izotov et al. (1997c).

NGC 1510  — Eichendorf & Nieto (1984) show the presence of broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 in one component of this amophous galaxy. See the discussion in Conti (1991) for more details.

NGC 1569  — Narrow-band $`\lambda `$4686 filter imaging of Drissen et al. (1993) revealed the possible presence of WR stars. Spectroscopy by Drissen & Roy (1994) in the outskirts of the galaxy shows broad He i $`\lambda `$5876 and He i $`\lambda `$6678 both attributed to a late WN star. According to Gonzaléz-Delgado et al. (1997) this region is located 4″ west of super star cluster (SSC) A. Ho et al. (1995) find the WR bump and a broad $`\mathrm{H}\alpha `$ component “in the nuclear spectrum”. Gonzaléz-Delgado et al. (1997) find several broad features in the WR bump which are confined to SSC A. Broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 has also been detected by Martin & Kennicutt (1997).

NGC 1614  — A broad WR bump is detected by Pindao (1998). The measurement of Vacca & Conti (1992) provides an upper limit on broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686.

VII Zw 19  — Found by Kunth & Joubert (1985) in their “survey” of 45 blue emission line galaxies for showing excess emission between 4600 and 4711 Å.

NGC 1741  — This well studied galaxy is part of the Hickson (1982) “compact” group # 31 and interacting with H31 (see below). Several broad components in the WR bump (He ii $`\lambda `$4686, N iii $`\lambda `$4640) and nebular emission of \[Fe iii\] $`\lambda `$4658 and He ii $`\lambda `$4686 have been identified by Kunth & Schild (1986). According to Conti (1991) N iii $`\lambda `$4640 cannot be confirmed. The spectrum of Vacca & Conti (1992) of region B is shown in Conti et al. (1996) who obtained also a UV spectrum with GHRS on HST of this region. An upper limit on He ii $`\lambda `$4686 is also given by Vacca & Conti (1992) for region A. The high S/N spectrum of Izotov & Thuan (1998) shows broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686, whereas the C iv $`\lambda `$5808 is absent. No nebular He ii component is present according to the reanalysis of Guseva et al. (1998).

H31A  — A broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 feature and was pointed out by Rubin et al. (1990) in galaxy A and possibly also in H31C = NGC 1741 (see above).

Mrk 1094  — Kunth & Joubert (1985) list this object as having a broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 excess above 0.8 $`\sigma `$ of the background. Broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 was detected by Vacca & Conti (1992) in region A. Upper limits on He ii are given for two other regions.

II Zw 40  — Broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 was detected by Kunth & Sargent (1981) in this well studied low metallicity galaxy. See also Vacca & Conti (1992) for more recent observations and a study of its WR content. Broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 and possibly also C iv $`\lambda `$5808 are signaled by Martin (1997). An important contamination by nebular He ii $`\lambda `$4686 has been suspected by Schaerer (1996) from its similarity with Pox 4 and on theoretical grounds. A broad asymmetric emission components of $`\mathrm{H}\alpha `$ has been found by Méndez & Esteban (1997). Guseva et al. (1998) find the presence of both stellar and nebular He ii and broad C iv $`\lambda `$5808.

Tol 0633-415  — Automatic detection by Masegosa et al. (1991). Pindao et al. (1999) classify this as a suspected WR galaxy.

Mrk 5  — The high S/N spectrum of Izotov & Thuan (1998) shows broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686. No nebular He ii component is present according to the reanalysis of Guseva et al. (1998).

IRAS 07164+5301 — Huang et al. (1996) detect the presence of broad lines around 4686 Å suggesting N iii $`\lambda `$4640, C iii $`\lambda `$4650, and He ii $`\lambda `$4686 in this IRAS source. They also indicate a tentative detection of O v $`\lambda `$5835 and a lack of C iv $`\lambda `$5808. The spectrum is of fairly low S/N.

Mrk 1199  — Izotov & Thuan (1998) signal nebular and broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 and C iv $`\lambda `$5808 features from their high S/N spectrum<sup>2</sup><sup>2</sup>2The reported nebular He ii $`\lambda `$4686 intensity in Izotov & Thuan (1998) is erroneous according to Y. Itozov (1998, private commnication). No indication is therefore given in column 8 of table 1 for this object.. The latter features appears quite weakly. No nebular He ii component is present according to the reanalysis of Guseva et al. (1998).

NGC 2363  — This is a well studied giant Hii region consisting of two main knots and located south west of the irregular galaxy NGC 2366 (e.g. Drissen et al. 1993, Gonzaléz-Delgado et al. 1994, and references therein). Spectra of the region taken up to 1992 all show narrow He ii $`\lambda `$4686 (see references in Drissen et al. 1993). From narrow-band imaging Drissen et al. (1993) find excess He ii $`\lambda `$4686 emission in both knots, but much stronger in the fainter eastern knot. They argue for WR stars in this knot (B). Spectroscopy by Gonzaléz-Delgado et al. (1994) confirms the presence broad and nebular He ii $`\lambda `$4686 in knot B, and detect also C iv $`\lambda `$5808 attributed to WC stars. Izotov et al. (1997a) find broad and nebular He ii $`\lambda `$4686 emission in knot A, and nebular He ii in knot B (cf. also the reanalysis by Guseva et al. (1998)). Broad emission component of $`\mathrm{H}\alpha `$, $`\mathrm{H}\beta `$, and \[O iii\] are also known (Roy et al. 1992, Izotov et al. 1997a).

Mrk 8  — Kunth & Joubert (1985) list this object as having a broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 excess above 0.8 $`\sigma `$ of the background.

NGC 2403  — Drissen & Roy (1996) detect broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 and C iv $`\lambda `$5808 in two giant Hii regions in this galaxy of the M81 group.

VII Zw 187  — Kunth & Joubert (1985) list this object as having a broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 excess above 0.8 $`\sigma `$ of the background.

SBS 0749+582  — Broad and nebular He ii $`\lambda `$4686 is signaled by Izotov et al. (1997a).

Mrk 1210  — Storchi-Bergmann et al. (1998) detect the presence of a broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 component attributed to WR stars in the nucleus of this Seyfert 2 galaxy. A broad WR bump is also detected by Pindao (1998).

IRAS 08208+2816 — The presence of nebular and broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 and broad C iv $`\lambda `$5808 was found by Huang et al. (1998) in this luminous infrared galaxy. The WR bump luminosity is exceptionally large and rivals that of IRAS 01003-2238. Interestingly the authors also find essentially zero internal reddening derived from the Balmer decrement.

He 2-10  — This dwarf emission galaxy can be considered the “prototypical WR galaxy” since it was the first where He ii $`\lambda `$4686 emission attributed to WR stars was detected (Allen et al. 1976). Abundant observational data is available for this galaxy. The detection of Allen et al. has been confirmed by Hutsemekers & Surdey (1984), who also suspected C iv $`\lambda `$5808 emission due to WC stars from their spectrum. Broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 and a weak C iv $`\lambda `$5808 feature were detected by Vacca & Conti (1992) in their region A. Both features were confirmed by Schaerer et al. (1999) from their high S/N spectra. An upper limit for He ii $`\lambda `$4686 in region B is also given in Vacca & Conti (1992). The HST UV images of Conti & Vacca (1994) resolve this galaxy in multiple knots. Broad asymmetric emission components of $`\mathrm{H}\alpha `$ and \[N ii\] $`\lambda `$6584 have been found by Méndez & Esteban (1997).

Mrk 702  — An incorrect object name (C 0842+163) was used for this galaxy by Masegosa et al. (1991), who report a broad WR feature. Guseva et al. (1998) detect both broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 and C iv $`\lambda `$5808 features. The S/N appears fairly low for the latter assertion.

SBS 0907+543  — Broad and nebular He ii $`\lambda `$4686 has been found by Izotov et al. (1997a).

SBS 0926+606  — Broad and nebular He ii $`\lambda `$4686 has been found by Izotov et al. (1997a) (cf. also Guseva et al. (1998)). They also indicate the presence of low intensity broad components of $`\mathrm{H}\alpha `$ and/or \[O iii\] $`\lambda `$5007.

I Zw 18  — This well-known object is the galaxy with the lowest metal content known. While nebular He ii $`\lambda `$4686 was observed for a long time, only recently the deep spectra of Izotov et al. (1997b) and Legrand et al. (1997) revealed several broad emission components (C iii $`\lambda `$4650, He ii $`\lambda `$4686, C iv $`\lambda `$5808) attributed to WN and WC stars. The spatial distribution of He ii $`\lambda `$4686 emission was studied by Hunter & Thronson (1995) and De Mello et al. (1998) based on WFPC2 HST observations. Izotov et al. (1997a) indicate the presence of low intensity broad components of $`\mathrm{H}\alpha `$ and/or \[O iii\] $`\lambda `$5007.

ESO 566-7  — An incorrect object name C 0942-1929A was used by Masegosa et al. (1991) for this galaxy, where they report a broad WR feature. Pindao (1998) confirms the presence of the WR bump.

NGC 3003  — A complex broad WR-bump was signaled by Ho et al. (1995), who also note the absence of a broad $`\mathrm{H}\alpha `$ component in contrast to their spectra of other WR galaxies (cf. NGC 1156, NGC 1569, NGC 4214).

Mrk 22  — Broad and nebular He ii $`\lambda `$4686 has been found by Izotov et al. (1994). Their spectrum appears noisy to detect C iv $`\lambda `$5808. Its detection is, however, signaled by Guseva et al. (1998).

Mrk 1236  — Kunth & Schild (1986) point out the presence of broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 in this galaxy. Broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 was detected in region A by Vacca & Conti (1992). Observations of Guseva et al. (1998) signal the presence of nebular and broad He ii, broad C iv $`\lambda `$5808 and possibly also C iii $`\lambda `$5696. A broad emission feature is identified as C ii $`\lambda `$ 4267.

SBS 0948+532  — Broad and nebular He ii $`\lambda `$4686 has been found by Izotov et al. (1994). Also C iv $`\lambda `$5808 is present according to the reanalysis of Guseva et al. (1998), although the S/N appears fairly low.

NGC 3049  — This Virgo Cluster galaxy shows broad \[N ii\] $`\lambda `$5755 and He ii $`\lambda `$4686 (Kunth & Schild 1986). The WR bump is confirmed by Mas-Hesse & Kunth (1991, 1998), Masegosa et al. (1991), and Pindao (1998). Broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 was detected in region A by Vacca & Conti (1992); an upper limit is given for region B. The high S/N observations of Schaerer et al. (1999) reveal broad features of N iii $`\lambda `$4640, He ii $`\lambda `$4686, C iii $`\lambda `$5696, and C iv $`\lambda `$5808 testifying of the presence of late-type WN and late-type WC stars. These features are confirmed by Guseva et al. (1998).

Mrk 712  — Contini et al. (1995) and Contini (1996) signal the presence of broad N iii $`\lambda `$4640 and He ii $`\lambda `$4686 in a giant Hii region of this IRAS barred spiral galaxy. A nebular contribution to He ii may be present (Contini 1996).

Tol 0957-278  — Kunth & Joubert (1985) list this object (=Tol 2) as having a broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 excess above 0.8 $`\sigma `$ of the background in the NE component. Upper limits of He ii $`\lambda `$4686 are given for 2 regions by Vacca & Conti (1992). Possible detection of broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 according to Pindao et al. (1999).

NGC 3125  — Broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 emission was found by Kunth & Sargent (1981; cf. also Kunth & Joubert 1985) in this dwarf galaxy. They also note narrow \[Fe iii\] $`\lambda `$4658 emission. Broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 was detected in two regions by Masegosa et al. (1991) and Vacca & Conti (1992). Pindao (1998) reconfirms the detections of Masegosa et al.. The high S/N observations of Schaerer et al. (1999) reveal broad features of N iii $`\lambda `$4640, He ii $`\lambda `$4686, and C iv $`\lambda `$5808 in both regions, testifying of the presence of late WN and early WC stars.

Tol 1025-284  — Pindao (1998) signals the presence of a broad WR bump in this galaxy.

Mrk 33  — Kunth & Joubert (1985) list this object as having a broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 excess above 0.8 $`\sigma `$ of the background. The WR bump is confirmed by the spectra of Mas-Hesse & Kunth (1991, 1998).

Mrk 178  — The SE knot of this galaxy shows broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 according to González-Riestra et al. (1984). He ii emission was already noted by Sargent (1972). Guseva et al. (1998) signal the presence of nebular and broad He ii, and C iv $`\lambda `$5808.

Mrk 1434  — Broad and nebular He ii $`\lambda `$4686 has been found by Izotov et al. (1997a). They also indicate the presence of low intensity broad components of $`\mathrm{H}\alpha `$ and/or \[O iii\] $`\lambda `$5007. The reanalysis of Guseva et al. (1998) also shows C iv $`\lambda `$5808 emission.

Mrk 1259  — Ohyama et al. (1997) detect broad N iii $`\lambda `$4640 and He ii $`\lambda `$4686 lines in the nuclear spectrum of this nearby starburst galaxy. Their study suggests the existence of a superwind seen nearly pole-on (see also Ohyama & Taniguchi 1998). Guseva et al. (1998) signal also the presence of C iv $`\lambda `$5808 and no nebular He ii. A broad feature identified as N iii $`\lambda `$4510 is also indicated.

Mrk 724  — Kunth & Schild (1984) find broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 and a broad feature close to C iv $`\lambda `$5808, as well as additional nebular lines “contaminating” the WR bump (\[Fe iii\] $`\lambda `$4658, He ii $`\lambda `$4686, \[Ar iv\] $`\lambda `$4711). The identification of C iv $`\lambda `$5808 is not well established (see Kunth & Schild, 1984; Conti, 1991).

NGC 3353  — Steel et al. (1996) report the presence of a broad WR bump and a possible detection of C iv $`\lambda `$5808 in region A. These signatures are confirmed by Huang et al. (1998) who also find indications for nebular He ii $`\lambda `$4686.

NGC 3367  — The presence of a broad WR bump in the LINER nucleus has been signaled by Ho et al. (1995), who also note unusually broad and asymmetric emission lines (e.g. $`\mathrm{H}\beta `$).

NGC 3395  — Weistrop et al. (1998) signal the presence of broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 and C iv $`\lambda `$5808.

NGC 3396  — Weistrop et al. (1998) signal the presence of broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 and C iv $`\lambda `$5808, as well as nebular He ii $`\lambda `$4686.

Mrk 1271  — The spectrum of Izotov & Thuan (1998) shows weak nebular and broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 features. Although very weak, C iv $`\lambda `$5808 could also be present according to Guseva et al. (1998). Contini (1996) only finds nebular emission lines.

SBS 1054+365  — Broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 has been detected by Izotov et al. (1997a). This is confirmed by the reanalysis of Guseva et al. (1998).

Mrk 36  — The spectrum of Izotov & Thuan (1998) shows nebular and broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 features. No WR signature was detected by Campbell et al. (1986) and Mas-Hesse & Kunth (1991, 1998).

NGC 3690  — Ho et al. (1995) signaled the presence of WR features in several regions of this galaxy (=Arp 299); they exclude WR features in the nucleus. Vacca (1996, private communication) signals the presence of broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 in Arp 299B and Arp 299C which are part of this complex system.

NGC 3738  — Martin (1997) points out the presence of broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686.

UM 439  — Automatic detection by Masegosa et al. (1991). Also listed as WR candidate by Pindao et al. (1999).

Mrk 182  — Broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 is pointed out by Guseva et al. (1998). The spectrum may be too noisy to establish the presence/absence of a nebular component.

Mrk 1450  — Nebular and broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686, and C iv $`\lambda `$5808 have been found by Izotov et al. (1994) (cf. also Guseva et al. (1998)).

Mrk 1304  — Automatic detection of He ii by Masegosa et al. (1991), later confirmed by Pindao (1998). Nebular and broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686, and C iv $`\lambda `$5808 have been found by Guseva et al. (1998). The S/N appears fairly low for the latter assertion.

Mrk 1305  — Broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 and C iv $`\lambda `$5808 have been found by Guseva et al. (1998). The S/N appears fairly low for the latter assertion.

Mrk 750  — He ii $`\lambda `$4686 emission was first signaled by Kunth & Joubert (1985). According to Conti (1991) N iii $`\lambda `$4640 is also detected in a spectrum of Salzer. These detections are consistent with the spectrum of Izotov & Thuan (1998) showing a broad WR bump and nebular He ii. The reanalysis of Guseva et al. (1998) also reveals C iv $`\lambda `$5808 emission.

Pox 4  — Kunth & Joubert (1985) list this object as having a broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 excess above 0.8 $`\sigma `$ of the background. This object is also included in the studies of Campbell et al. (1986) and Masegosa et al. (1991) <sup>3</sup><sup>3</sup>3Campbell et al. refer to C 1148-203. In Masegosa et al. the name C 1148-2020 (see their Table 1) and erroneously Tol 1148-202 (Table 2) is used. The proper identification of this Cambridge object (see Telles et al. 1997) is IRAS 11485-2018 = Pox 4 according to NED., which signal a possible WR feature in one or two regions. The reanalysis of Pindao (1998) confirms the WR bump in one region. Broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 has been measured by Vacca & Conti (1992) in two regions. The existence of a broad component is not well established (e.g. Kunth & Sargent, 1981). Nebular He ii $`\lambda `$4686 is most likely present in region A (see spectrum of Vacca & Conti 1992). A broad asymmetric emission component of \[O iii\] $`\lambda `$5007 has been found by Méndez & Esteban (1997).

UM 461  — Conti (1991) reports the presence of broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 and relatively strong nebular \[Ar iv\] lines in a spectrum from Salzer.

Mrk 1307  — Izotov & Thuan (1998) indicate the presence of broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 and nebular He ii (cf. Guseva et al. 1998). The presence of a broad component appears somewhat marginal (see also Contini 1996).

Mrk 193  — The analysis of Guseva et al. (1998) indicates the presence of broad and nebular He ii $`\lambda `$4686 in this object; the broad component was not signaled by Izotov et al. (1994).

ISZ 59  — Kunth & Joubert (1985) list this object as having a broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 excess above 0.8 $`\sigma `$ of the background.

NGC 3995  — Weistrop et al. (1998) signal the presence of broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 and C iv $`\lambda `$5808, as well as nebular He ii $`\lambda `$4686.

NGC 4038  — From ten giant Hii regions surveyed by Rosa & D’Odorico (1986) in this galaxy of the Antennae, one exhibits a broad emission feature at the blue WR bump.

SBS 1211+540  — The reanalysis of Guseva et al. (1998) shows nebular and broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686; Izotov et al. (1994) only signaled nebular emission.

NGC 4214  — WR signatures in this galaxy were found independently by Mas-Hesse & Kunth (1991; cf. also 1998) and Sargent & Fillippenko (1991). The observations of the former show a broad WR bump around 4650 Å and C iv $`\lambda `$5808 due to WC stars. The latter detect WR signatures of N iii $`\lambda `$4640, C iii $`\lambda `$4650, possibly also C iii $`\lambda `$4658, and He ii $`\lambda `$4686 in two knots. From the C lines they also suspected the presence of WC stars. Broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 and C iv $`\lambda `$5808 in several regions has also been signaled by Martin & Kennicutt (1997). A broad $`\mathrm{H}\alpha `$ component, attributed to WN stars, was also detected by Sargent & Fillippenko in one knot. Recent UV spectroscopy of NGC 4214 with HST was obtained by Leitherer et al. (1996). Detailed spectroscopic spatial mapping by Maíz-Apellániz et al. (1998) shows the presence of He ii $`\lambda `$4686 (broad and narrow) in several regions of NGC 4214.

NGC 4216  — From five giant Hii regions surveyed by Rosa & D’Odorico (1986) in this galaxy two exhibit a broad emission feature at the blue WR bump.

NGC 4236  — González-Delgado & Perez (1994) report the presence of broad N iii $`\lambda `$4640 and He ii $`\lambda `$4686 features in their Hii region III.

M 106  — Castellanos et al. (1998) point out the presence of broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 in the brightest Hii region of this Seyfert 2 galaxy.

SBS 1222+614  — Nebular and broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686, and C iv $`\lambda `$5808 have been found by Izotov et al. (1997a) (cf. Guseva et al. 1998).

NGC 4385  — WR signatures of N iii $`\lambda `$4640, He ii $`\lambda `$4686 and possibly also C iv $`\lambda `$5808 have been detected by Campbell & Smith (1986). The first two lines are also found in the spectrum of Durret & Tarrab (1988), who signal also a possible detection of C iii $`\lambda `$4658. The findings are confirmed by Conti (1991) according to a spectrum of Salzer; according to Conti C iii $`\lambda `$4658 has more likely to be identified with \[Fe iii\] $`\lambda `$4658.

II Zw 62  — Kunth & Joubert (1985) list this object as having a broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 excess above 0.8 $`\sigma `$ of the background.

Mrk 209  — Nebular and broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 have been found by Izotov et al. (1997a); the reanalysis of Guseva et al. (1998) also reveals C iv $`\lambda `$5808 emission, although very weak.

NGC 4449  — Martin & Kennicutt (1997) indicate the presence of broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 and C iv $`\lambda `$5808 in several regions of this object.

NGC 4532  — The presence of a weak broad WR bump has been signaled by Ho et al. (1995), who also note a very weak broad $`\mathrm{H}\alpha `$ component.

Mrk 1329  — Broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 and a possible detection of C iv $`\lambda `$5808 are signaled by Guseva et al. (1998). He ii $`\lambda `$5412 emission is also pointed out.

Tol 1235-350  — Pindao (1998) signals the presence of a broad WR bump in this galaxy.

NGC 4670  — Mas-Hesse & Kunth (1991, 1998) report the presence of a WR bump in this galaxy; the latter publication provides only an upper limit.

Tol 1247-232  — Automatic detection of broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 by Masegosa et al. (1991) confirmed by the analysis of Pindao (1998).

SBS 1249+493  — The reanalysis of Guseva et al. (1998) indicates the presence of nebular and broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686; previously only a narrow component was detected (Thuan et al. 1995).

NGC 4861  — The spectrum of Dinerstein & Shields (1986) shows a broad WR feature centered at 4686 Å and a possible detection of C iv $`\lambda `$5808 (but cf. Conti 1991). The WR bump is confirmed by Mas-Hesse & Kunth (1991, 1998), Motch et al. (1994) who also find nebular He ii, and by Martin & Kennicutt (1997) who possibly also find C iv $`\lambda `$5808. The spectrum of Izotov et al. (1997a) shows broad and nebular He ii, as well as C iv $`\lambda `$5808 (cf. Guseva et al. 1998).

Tol 30  — Broad N iii $`\lambda `$4640, He ii $`\lambda `$4686, and probably also nebular He ii have been found by Contini (1996). The exact region is not specified. Pindao et al. (1999) signal the possible presence of the WR bump in the Hii region Tol 1303-281 NW associated with this galaxy.

Pox 120  — Kunth & Joubert (1985) list this object as having a broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 excess above 0.8 $`\sigma `$ of the background.

Pox 139  — Kunth & Joubert (1985) list this object as having a broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 excess above 0.8 $`\sigma `$ of the background. This finding is confirmed by the observations of Vacca & Conti (1992).

NGC 5068  — From five giant Hii regions surveyed by D’Odorico et al. (1983) in this galaxy, two exhibit a broad emission feature at the blue WR bump.

SBS 1319+579  — Nebular and broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 have been found by Izotov et al. (1997a) In their reanalysis Guseva et al. (1998) also detect C iv $`\lambda `$5808.

NGC 5128  — The observations of six Hii regions in the elliptical galaxy Cen A (classified as Seyfert 2 in NED) by Möllenhoff (1981) revealed several WR features in one region (# 13) near the rim of the dust disk of this well studied galaxy. Broad lines of N iii $`\lambda `$4640, He ii $`\lambda `$4686, C iii $`\lambda `$4650, and C iv $`\lambda `$5808 are identified. According to Rosa & D’Odorico (1986), WR features are found in two (including # 13) out of six surveyed regions.

Pox 186  — Kunth & Joubert (1985) list this object as having a broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 excess above 0.8 $`\sigma `$ of the background.

Tol 35  — Kunth & Joubert (1985) list this object as having a broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 excess above 0.8 $`\sigma `$ of the background. Campbell et al. (1986) indicate only nebular He ii. The WR feature is confirmed by the spectrum of Campbell & Smith (1986), by Masegosa et al. (1991), Vacca & Conti (1992), and Pindao (1998). Broad asymmetric emission components of $`\mathrm{H}\alpha `$ and \[O iii\] $`\lambda `$5007 have been found by Méndez & Esteban (1997).

M 83  — From eight giant Hii regions surveyed by Rosa & D’Odorico (1986) in this galaxy, three exhibit a broad emission feature at the blue WR bump.

NGC 5253  — This is a well studied amorphous galaxy. WR features have not been detected by Rosa & D’Odorico (1986); four regions surveyed. The first reports of a broad WR bump in this galaxy are from Campbell et al. (1986) and Walsh & Roy (1987). The high S/N observations of Schaerer et al. (1997) reveal broad features of N iii $`\lambda `$4640, He ii $`\lambda `$4686, and C iv $`\lambda `$5808 in two regions, testifying of the presence of late-type WN and early-type WC stars. Nebular He ii $`\lambda `$4686 is very likely present in their region A; a region of exceptionally strong He ii $`\lambda `$4686 (probably nebular) was also found (see Schaerer et al. 1999). The WR bump was also detected by Kobulnicky et al. (1997), Martin & Kennicutt (1997), Mas-Hesse & Kunth (1998) and Pindao (1998). 

Mrk 67  — Conti (1991) reports a possible detection of a weak and broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 emission feature from a spectrum of Salzer.

Mrk 1486  — Nebular and broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 have been found by Izotov et al. (1997a).

Tol 89  — Durret et al. (1985) report the detection of a broad WR bump (likely N iii $`\lambda `$4640 and He ii $`\lambda `$4686) in this giant Hii region of NGC 5398. IUE spectra also indicate the presence of WR stars (see Durret et al. 1985, Conti 1991), possibly also of the WC type. Pindao (1998) also signals the presence of the WR bump. The high S/N observations of Schaerer et al. (1999) reveal broad features of N iii $`\lambda `$4640, He ii $`\lambda `$4686, and exceptionally strong C iv $`\lambda `$5808, testifying of the presence of late-type WN and early-type WC stars. These authors also suspect a contribution from nebular He ii $`\lambda `$4686.

NGC 5430  — Keel (1982) reports a broad WR bump (likely N iii $`\lambda `$4640 and He ii $`\lambda `$4686) in the spectrum of a bright Hii region, SE of the nucleus of this barred galaxy.

NGC 5408  — WR features have not been detected by Rosa & D’Odorico (1986); two regions surveyed. Masegosa et al. (1991) signal a possible detection of broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 in their region B. According to Motch et al. (1994) the He ii emission is only nebular and is mostly found in two regions (their # 3 and 4). Kovo & Contini (1998) report both broad and nebular He ii $`\lambda `$4686 in two Hii regions of this galaxy with a faint broad N iii $`\lambda `$4640 in one of them. The nebular lines of \[Fe iii\] $`\lambda `$4658 \[Ar iv\] $`\lambda `$4711, and \[Ar iv\] $`\lambda `$4740 are strong.

NGC 5457 = M 101  — Rosa & D’Odorico (1986) report of seven surveyed Hii regions with five detections of WR features from the spectra of D’Odorico et al. (1983). According to the latter, however, only two regions, Hodge 40 and NGC 5461 (see below), show clear broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 features; the remaining objects required confirmation with spectra at higher resolution. Although uncertain, broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 emission in Hodge 40 was also pointed out by Rayo et al. (1982).

NGC 5461  — The presence of broad N iii $`\lambda `$4640 and He ii $`\lambda `$4686 in this giant Hii region of M101 was first pointed out by Rayo et al. (1982) and later confirmed by D’Odorico et al. (1983).

NGC 5471  — Rayo et al. (1982) find a weak He ii $`\lambda `$4686 feature in this Hii region of M 101. No information on its width is given. D’Odorico et al. (1983) detect unbroadened lines identified as C iii $`\lambda `$4658 \[Fe iii\] $`\lambda `$4658, He ii $`\lambda `$4686, He i $`+`$ \[Ar iv\] $`\lambda `$4711 and \[Ar iv\] $`\lambda `$4740, whose origin is likely nebular. Mas-Hesse & Kunth (1991, 1998) mention the presence of a WR bump.

SBS 1408+551A  — Nebular and broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686, and C iv $`\lambda `$5808 have been found by Izotov et al. (1996).

CGCG 219-066  — Nebular and broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 emission is found according to Izotov et al. (1998); no broad features had been signaled by Thuan et al. (1995).

Mrk 475  — Conti (1991) reports a detection of a moderately strong He ii $`\lambda `$4686 emission feature and possible N iii $`\lambda `$4640 from a spectrum of Salzer. The similarity with the spectrum of Mrk 750 is pointed out. Nebular and broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686, and C iv $`\lambda `$5808 have been found by Izotov et al. (1994) (cf. Guseva et al. 1998). Their spectrum also show the presence of an unidentified broad feature at $``$ 4200 Å.

Mrk 477  — Heckman et al. (1997) detect the presence of a broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 component attributed to WR stars together with several other stellar signatures in the nucleus of this powerful Seyfert 2 galaxy.

Tol 1457-262A — A broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 emission line has been reported by Contini (1996) in one of the members of the galaxy pair Tol 1457-262. A broad WR bump is also detected by Pindao (1998).

Tol 1457-262B — Whereas Contini (1996) signals the presence of a purely nebular He ii $`\lambda `$4686 emission, a broad WR bump is detected by Pindao (1998).

SBS 1533+574B  — Nebular and broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686, and also C iv $`\lambda `$5808 have been found in the reanalysis of Guseva et al. (1998); no broad features had been signaled by Izotov et al. (1997a).

IC 4662  — From two giant Hii regions surveyed by Rosa & D’Odorico (1986) in this nearby galaxy, two exhibit a broad emission feature at the blue WR bump. This is also confirmed by the study of Heydari-Malayeri et al. (1991). Richter & Rosa (1991) detect He ii $`\lambda `$4686 and C iv $`\lambda `$5808 in one cluster. The WR bump was also detected by Mas-Hesse & Kunth (1998).

NGC 6500  — Broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 may be tentatively detected in the LINER nucleus of this galaxy (Barth et al. 1997).

Fairall 44  — Broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 C iv $`\lambda `$5808 and N iii $`\lambda `$4640 emission lines are detected in this dwarf galaxy (Kovo & Contini 1998).

NGC 6764  — Osterbrock & Cohen (1982) point out the presence of broad N iii $`\lambda `$4640 and He ii $`\lambda `$4686 in the spectrum of the nucleus of this barred spiral galaxy also classified as LINER or Seyfert 2. Conti (1991) argues that the line at 4660 Å in their spectrum is likely \[Fe iii\] $`\lambda `$4658. The spectrum of Eckart et al. (1996) confirms the broad features of Osterbrock & Cohen. They also signal excessive widths of He i $`\lambda `$5876 and $`\mathrm{H}\alpha `$ which they attribute to emission from WR stars. Broad C iii $`\lambda `$5696 and C iv $`\lambda `$5808 lines from WC stars are reported in the nucleus of this galaxy by Kunth & Contini (1998).

Tol 1924-416  — Pindao (1998) signals the presence of a broad WR bump in this galaxy. Kovo & Contini (1998) indicate only nebular He ii $`\lambda `$4686.

IC 4870  — The presence of a broad WR bump is signalled by Joguet & Kunth (1999) in this galaxy classified as starburst or Seyfert 2. The spectral range at $`\lambda >`$ 5300 Å was not covered.

IC 5154  — Joguet & Kunth (1999) note the presence of broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686, N iii $`\lambda `$4640, and C iv $`\lambda `$5808 in one of the two nuclei of this galaxy which they classify as starburst although previously known as Seyfert 2.

ESO 108-IG 01  — The presence of broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 and C iv $`\lambda `$5808 is signalled by Joguet & Kunth (1999) in this galaxy classified as starburst or Seyfert 2.

Mrk 309  — Osterbrock & Cohen (1982) point out the presence of broad N iii $`\lambda `$4640 and He ii $`\lambda `$4686 in this Seyfert 2 galaxy. Conti (1991) argues that the line at 4660 Å is likely \[Fe iii\] $`\lambda `$4658. C iv $`\lambda `$5808 and C iii $`\lambda `$5696 emission, attributed to WC stars, is also tentatively detected by Osterbrock & Cohen.

Mrk 315  — Kunth & Joubert (1985) list this object as having a broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 excess above 0.8 $`\sigma `$ of the background.

ESO 148-IG 02  — WR features (N iii $`\lambda `$4640, He ii $`\lambda `$4686) in this infrared galaxy have been reported by Johansson & Bergvall (1988).

III Zw 107  — Kunth & Joubert (1985) list this object as having a broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 excess above 0.8 $`\sigma `$ of the background in the southern component.

Mrk 930  — Broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 has been found by Izotov & Thuan (1998). The reanalysis of Guseva et al. (1998) also reveals a nebular He ii component and broad C iv $`\lambda `$5808. The quality of the spectrum appears fairly low for the latter assertion.

NGC 7714  — Van Breugel et al. (1985) reported weak WR features near 4686 Å and possible nebular He ii emission in the nucleus of this “prototypical starburst” galaxy, and call attention to the similarity with Minkowski’s object (above) and extragalactic Hii regions. New long-slit observations at several position angles were obtained by González-Delgado et al. (1995), confirming the presence of broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 in the nucleus. Nebular emission can also be suspected from their spectrum. From the same observations García-Vargas et al. (1997) find broad WR bumps ($``$ 4660 Å) in three extra-nuclear giant Hii regions. One of them shows a definite detection of C iv $`\lambda `$5808; for the remaining regions upper limits on C iv $`\lambda `$5808 are given. Pindao (1998) also signals the presence of a broad WR bump; no information about the observed location given.

## 5 Hii galaxies showing only nebular He ii emission

Hii regions (“local” or extragalactic objects) and Hii galaxies showing nebular He ii $`\lambda `$4686 are considered to be quite rare (e.g. Garnett et al. 1991). Although not intended as a complete inventory these authors quote only 17 objects drawn from the studies of dwarf emission-line galaxies by Kunth & Sargent (1983) and Campbell et al. (1986). Many new observations revealing nebular He ii $`\lambda `$4686 emission have since been found, mostly in the sample of Izotov and collaborators (see Sect. 2).

In Table 2 we list extragalactic Hii regions showing He ii $`\lambda `$4686 emission which is entirely attributed to nebular emission processes. In some cases, however, WR signatures are suspected by some authors; see column 8 for references. We restrict ourself to objects from the Terlevich et al. (1991) catalogue analysed by various authors and the sample of Izotov and collaborators, since these constitute the largest available samples of such objects. All except one object (Pox 105) from Kunth & Sargent (1983) showing He ii $`\lambda `$4686 emission was later classified as a WR galaxy (Kunth & Joubert 1985 and references in Sect. 3). From the four emission line galaxies with narrow He ii $`\lambda `$4686 emission listed by Conti (1991, his Table 2) three are now classified as WR galaxies (see Table 1); the presence of a broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 component due to WR stars is suspected in the Seyfert 2 galaxy Pox 52 (Kunth et al. 1987).

From the 12 objects of Campbell et al. (1986) for which a measurement is available, six remain in this category, although two additional objects are suspected to show broad He ii. In the other objects from Campbell et al., WR features have been found by other investigators (see Sect. 3), in part also in re-analysis of the same observational data (e.g. Masegosa et al. 1991).

From the sample of Izotov and collaborators (including 60 objects published up to 1998, i.e. including Izotov & Thuan 1998), 40 show nebular He ii. However only 9 objects (listed in Table 2) reveal no broad 4686 component according to these studies and the reanalysis of Guseva et al. (1998).

## 6 Suspected WR galaxies and galaxies without He ii $`\lambda `$4686

### 6.1 Suspected WR galaxies

Candidate WR galaxies resulting from some of the searches discussed in Sect. 2 or found loosely in the literature are listed in Table 3. The reader is referred to the original papers for the justification of the possible presence of WR stars.

Most of the suspected WR galaxies come from the spectrophotometric catalogue of Hii galaxies of Terlevich et al. (1991), following the analysis of Masegosa et al. (1991) or Pindao et al. (1999) which also includes new objects. As stated earlier, from Masegosa et al. (1991) we take the subset of objects included in their Table 1 but not in Table 2 as candidates. Although partly based on the same observations the analysis of Masegosa et al. (1991) and Pindao et al.(1999) do not always yield the same candidates. We have retained all objects classified as “candidate” by either one of these studies. New observations will be necessary to establish the definite presence or absence of WR features.

Few objects from Vacca & Conti (1992) have only an upper limit on broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686. For most of them independent observations are now available. Otherwise these objects are retained as suspected WR galaxies.

In some studies of IUE spectra strong UV P-Cygni lines of N and C (N v $`\lambda `$1240, C iv $`\lambda `$1550) have been interpreted as signatures of WR stars in theses objects (e.g. Durret et al. 1985, Lamb et al. 1990). However, these lines are also strong in O stars and hence cannot be used as a clear diagnostic for WR stars (cf. Leitherer et al. 1995). Therefore, objects suspected on these grounds have not been included in Table 3.

In rare cases, WR stars have also been suspected on indirect grounds (e.g. M100: Wozniak et al. 1998).

Interestingly, a broad WR bump is suggested to be present in the optical spectrum of two distant central cluster galaxies with strong cooling flows (Abell 1068 and 1835, Allen 1995). The recent study of Contini et al. (1998), however, casts serious doubt about the reality of a broad feature in Abell 1835. If true, these objects with redshifts $`z`$ 0.14 and 0.25 respectively, represent the most distant objects known to date where WR stars have been detected from (rest-frame) optical spectra. High redshift galaxies ($`z`$ 3) may, however, also show WR signatures (see Sect. 7).

### 6.2 Emission line galaxies without HeII

Conti (1991, his Table 3) lists a sample of emission line galaxies which have properties similar to WR galaxies, and where a search for He ii $`\lambda `$4686 emission (broad or narrow) has been made with negative results. For obvious reasons such a list is necessarily incomplete and the inclusion in such a list also strongly depends on the sensitivity (S/N, resolution etc.) of the data. We therefore renounce on such a compilation. However, few updates are appropriate on some objects from Table 3 of Conti (1991).

Mrk 1087  — While Vacca & Conti (1992) provide only an upper limit on He ii $`\lambda `$4686, a detection is provided in the recent spectra of Vaceli et al. (1997). No information on the width of this line is given. Retained as suspected WR galaxy.

Mrk 1094  — We have retained the criteria of Kunth & Joubert (1985) and hence included this object in Table 1. No new observations published.

0833+652 = IRAS 08339+6517 — From their spectrum Veilleux et al. conclude that no WR features are present in this galaxy (=0833+652 in Conti 1991).

Tol 2 = Tol 0957-278 — Same comment as for Mrk 1094.

Tol 9 = Tol 1032-283 Although no broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686 feature seems present in this object (Kunth & Schild 1986) we list in the category of suspected WR galaxies based on the possible detection of other broad features shortward of 5876 Å (Kunth & Schild 1986).

Other objects for which an upper limit on broad WR features is given or where a non-detection is signaled are found in publications issued from the systematic searches discussed in Sect. 2.

## 7 Discussion and conclusion

We have presented an up-to-date and presumably quite complete compilation of WR galaxies from the literature. The number of such objects has considerably increased in the last years and now totals 139 (Table 1). In addition to broad He ii $`\lambda `$4686, the basic “classification line” for WR galaxies, we include, for the first time, relevant information about the presence of various other broad emission lines. In particular the presence of C iv $`\lambda `$5808 emission originating essentially from WC stars is now detected in many objects.

A large fraction of WR galaxies also show nebular He ii $`\lambda `$4686 emission, indicative of high excitation. Where available we also include information about this line. Conversely, few objects are known which show only nebular He ii emission, i.e. no apparent signs of broad stellar emission features. A list of these extra-galactic Hii regions is provided in Table 2. This may in particular be used to investigate the possible link between the phenomenon of high excitation and the presence of WR stars as suggested e.g. by Schaerer (1996).

We have also compiled a list of objects suspected to harbour WR stars (Table 3). This could serve for future follow-up spectroscopy.

Most of the work on WR galaxies and related objects discussed above is based on spectroscopy in the visible. Are populations of WR stars also detectable at other wavelengths ?

In the infrared no direct signature of WR populations have been detected to the best of our knowledge. The most likely explanations are that 1) many strong features of WR stars coincide with strong nebular lines (e.g. He i 2.06$`\mu `$m, Br$`\gamma `$), and 2) WR features in the IR are strongly diluted by cool stars, which contribute the bulk of the emission at these wavelengths.

The strongest indicator of WR stars in UV is the presence of broad He ii $`\lambda `$1640 emission which is not seen in emission in other stars. Predictions of its strength and the expected line profile for integrated populations are given by Leitherer et al. (1995) and Schaerer & Vacca (1998). The use of this line is, however, not straightforward for several reasons. Potential difficulties specific to IUE spectra have been discussed by Leitherer et al. (1995). He ii $`\lambda `$1640 is detected in the average spectra of $``$ 20 starbursts (including several WR galaxies) of low and high metallicity of Heckman et al. (1998). In particular the spectra illustrate also the presence of multiple stellar and interstellar absorption lines in this wavelength range, which complicate the quantitative use of this line for diagnostics.

UV high resolution and high S/N spectra obtained with HST indeed show the presence of this emission line in known WR galaxies (e.g. NGC 4214, NGC 1741; Conti et al. 1996, Leitherer et al. 1996). Interestingly these objects show a close resemblance with recently discovered high redshift galaxies (cf. Steidel et al. 1996, Ebbels et al. 1996, Lowenthal et al. 1997). In addition to the strongest stellar UV lines (Si iv, C iv wind lines) the average spectrum of Lowenthal et al. of 11 objects with $`z`$ 3 also shows the He ii $`\lambda `$1640 emission line ! Quantitative studies of stellar populations including possibly WR stars should be possible in the future using these lines.

The numerous recent findings of massive stars in Seyfert 2 and LINERs, as well as detections of high redshift galaxies exhibiting signatures of massive stars further stress the need to deepen our understanding of the physical processes in “local objects”, and illustrate the interest of studies on massive stars and their interactions with the ISM, stellar populations, and starbursts in a wider context. It is the hope that our compilation will provide a useful basis for such undertakings.

###### Acknowledgements.

We thank Rosa González-Delgado, Daniel Kunth, Cristal Martin, and Bill Vacca for useful communications and discussions, and Peter Conti, Daniel Kunth, Claus Leitherer and Yuri Izotov for comments on an earlier version of the manuscript. Yuri Izotov, Benoit Joguet, Bill Vacca, and Donna Weistrop, kindly provided results before publication. Some comments and corrections were made during the IAU Symposium 193 by several colleagues. We thank them here for their help. This research has made extensive use of the NASA Extragalactic Database (NED), the NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS) Article Service, and SIMBAD, which is operated by the CDS in Strasbourg, France. DS acknowledges a grant from the Swiss National Foundation of Scientific Research.