2026-07-072026-07-07http://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/9806Photographic F band photometry of a sample of 36 Abell clusters has been used to study the relation between the magnitude $M_1$ of the brightest cluster member and the Schechter function parameter $M^*$. Clusters appear segregated in the $M_1$-$M^*$ plane according to their Rood \& Sastry class. We prove on a statistical basis that on average, going from early to late RS classes, $M_1$ becomes brighter while $M^*$ becomes fainter. The result agrees with the predictions of galactic cannibalism models, never confirmed by previous analyses.4 pages, postscript with 3 figures, in press : proc. XXIXth Rencontres de Moriond "Clusters of Galaxies"Astrophysicstext