The evolution of K-S-selected galaxies in the GOODS/CDFS deep ISAAC field

We present estimated redshifts and derived properties of a sample of 1663 galaxies with K-s = 2.5, the bright end of the K-s-band LF shows no sign of decline, and is progressively well reproduced by the ERGs with increasing redshift. We also explore the evolution of massive systems present in our sample: up to 20-25 per cent of the population of local galaxies with assembled stellar mass M > 1 x 10(11) M-circle dot) has been formed before redshift z similar to 4, and contains similar to 45-70 per cent of the stellar mass density of the Universe at that redshift. Within our sample, the comoving number density of these massive systems is then essentially constant down to redshift z similar to 1.5, by which point most of them have apparently evolved into (I - K-s)-selected ERGs. The remaining massive systems observed in the local Universe are assembled later, at redshifts z