We present a direct comparison between the observed star formation rate functions (SFRF) and the state-of-the-art predictions of semi-analytic models (SAM) of galaxy formation and evolution. We use the PACS Evolutionary Probe Survey (PEP) and Herschel Multi-tiered Extragalactic Survey (HerMES) data-sets in the COSMOS and GOODS-South fields, combined with broad-band photometry from UV to sub-mm, to obtain total (IR+UV) instantaneous star formation rates (SFRs) for individual Herschel galaxies up to z~4, subtracted of possible active galactic nucleus (AGN) contamination. The comparison with model predictions shows that SAMs broadly reproduce the observed SFRFs up to z~2, when the observational errors on the SFR are taken into account. However, all the models seem to under-predict the bright-end of the SFRF at z>2. The cause of this underprediction could lie in an improper modelling of several model ingredients, like too strong (AGN or stellar) feedback in the brighter objects or too low fall-back of gas, caused by weak feedback and outflows at earlier epochs.
@article{arxiv.1506.01518,
title = {Star Formation in Herschel's Monsters versus Semi-Analytic Models},
author = {C. Gruppioni and F. Calura and F. Pozzi and I. Delvecchio and S. Berta and G. De Lucia and F. Fontanot and A. Franceschini and L. Marchetti and N. Menci and P. Monaco and M. Vaccari},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1506.01518},
year = {2015}
}