Rotationally supported Virgo dwarf elliptical galaxies

We present the results of optical stellar rotation curves of 16 dwarf elliptical galaxies in the Virgo Cluster. Approximately half of this sample have significant velocity gradients along their optical major axis, with typical rotation amplitudes of 20—30 km s. Evidence for a relationship between the rotation amplitude and galaxy luminosity is found and agrees well with the Tully-Fisher relation. The similarity in the scaling relations of dIs and dEs implies that it is unlikely that dEs evolve from significantly more luminous galaxies. These observations reaffirm the possibility that some cluster dwarf elliptical galaxies may be formed when the neutral gaseous medium is stripped from dwarf irregular galaxies in the cluster environment.