Identify this engine part

[Aiki]

Was watching the video of the new Ducati Superquadro engine and they were showing various bits of the engine but I don't recognise this one. What does it do?

[stormingjoe]

Oil pump?

[punyXpress]

+ 1 - pumps oil?

[Shawthing]

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/ducati/2012-ducati-1199-panigale-superquadro-engine-details-91148.html

crankcase vacuum pump driven by oil pump shaft it says here.

[Aiki]

Thanks for the replies, I've found it's a gerotor vacuum pump, ducati are running sealed crankcases and a big vacuum pump to massively reduce pumping losses in order to keep up with the inline 4's power output.