Title: TDG Formation and evolution in Simulations of Merging Galaxies

Abstract:
We will present results of simulations aimed at studying the formation and evolution of Tidal 
Dwarf Galaxies (TDG) in mergers of spirals galaxies. Our  simulations consider merging 
progenitors of different masses, sizes, and gas fractions. The simulations include star 
formation, Supernova  feedback, and follow the chemical evolution of baryons. The resolution of 
our simulations allows us to detect and follow the evolution of self-gravitating structures above 
10^8 Mo, which roughly corresponds to the mass threshold of typical TDG candidates.
In particular we address two different aspects: first we determine the formation, survivability, and 
dynamical properties of TDG candidates in co-planar mergers of progenitors with different 
characteristics and secondly, we look for chemical signatures which might help to determine 
the tidal origin of small satellites in observations.