The Moche big-eared brown bat (Histiotus mochica) is a species of vesper bat in the family Vespertilionidae. It is endemic to coastal Peru.[1] It is notable for its likely depiction in Mocheceramics over a millennium prior to its discovery to Western science in 2012 and scientific description in 2021.[2][3]
It is restricted to the Peruvian desert, alongside several other bat species uniquely adapted to the harsh and arid habitat. This habitat also coincides with the historic extent of the Moche culture.[2]
Descriptionedit
It can be distinguished from other members of the genus Histiotus by its unique ears as well as its uniform brown pelage, in contrast to the multicolored pelage of other Histiotus species.[2][4]
Bats were frequently represented in Moche artwork, and are thought to have been culturally significant, being associated with the moon and ancestor worship. Many ceramics depicting bats (among other animals) are known, likely intended to hold daily and ritual fluids. One such vessel, currently held by the Cleveland Museum of Art, depicts a bat with large ears connected by a band of membrane across the forehead and no nose-leaf, which are key traits of the genus Histiotus. However, for a significant period of time, no Histiotus was known from the region formerly inhabited by the Moche.[2][4]
In 2012, an unknown Histiotus was documented in Piura Department, with two specimens being collected. Further studies found it to represent a distinctive, previously-undescribed species, and during research it was connected to the Moche pottery of the unknown Histiotus. It was ultimately described as Histiotus mochica in 2021, being named after the culture that had documented well before its discovery to Western science.[2]
^ abcdefVelazco, Paúl M.; Almeida, Francisca Cunha; Cláudio, Vinícius C.; Giménez, Analía L.; Giannini, Norberto P. (2021-10-13). "A New Species of Histiotus Gervais, 1856 (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae), from the Pacific Coast of Northern Peru". American Museum Novitates (3979): 1–30. doi:10.1206/3979.1. ISSN 0003-0082. S2CID 238747911.
^"Dr. Velazco Discovers Species of Bat in Northern Peru Connected to Ancient Moche Culture | Arcadia University". www.arcadia.edu. Retrieved 2021-11-30.
^ abAMNH (October 28, 2021). ""New" Bat Species Appears in Ancient Andean Ceramic". Retrieved November 30, 2021.
October 31, 2023
moche, eared, brown, histiotus, mochica, species, vesper, family, vespertilionidae, endemic, coastal, peru, notable, likely, depiction, moche, ceramics, over, millennium, prior, discovery, western, science, 2012, scientific, description, 2021, scientific, clas. The Moche big eared brown bat Histiotus mochica is a species of vesper bat in the family Vespertilionidae It is endemic to coastal Peru 1 It is notable for its likely depiction in Moche ceramics over a millennium prior to its discovery to Western science in 2012 and scientific description in 2021 2 3 Moche big eared brown batScientific classificationDomain EukaryotaKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass MammaliaOrder ChiropteraFamily VespertilionidaeGenus HistiotusSpecies H mochicaBinomial nameHistiotus mochicaVelazco Almeida Claudio Gimenez amp Giannini 2021 Contents 1 Taxonomy 2 Distribution 3 Description 4 Discovery and significance 5 ReferencesTaxonomy editIt is thought to be the sister species to the Humboldt big eared brown bat H humboldti 2 Distribution editIt is restricted to the Peruvian desert alongside several other bat species uniquely adapted to the harsh and arid habitat This habitat also coincides with the historic extent of the Moche culture 2 Description editIt can be distinguished from other members of the genus Histiotus by its unique ears as well as its uniform brown pelage in contrast to the multicolored pelage of other Histiotus species 2 4 Discovery and significance edit nbsp Moche ceramic at the Cleveland Museum of Art likely depicting this species Bats were frequently represented in Moche artwork and are thought to have been culturally significant being associated with the moon and ancestor worship Many ceramics depicting bats among other animals are known likely intended to hold daily and ritual fluids One such vessel currently held by the Cleveland Museum of Art depicts a bat with large ears connected by a band of membrane across the forehead and no nose leaf which are key traits of the genus Histiotus However for a significant period of time no Histiotus was known from the region formerly inhabited by the Moche 2 4 In 2012 an unknown Histiotus was documented in Piura Department with two specimens being collected Further studies found it to represent a distinctive previously undescribed species and during research it was connected to the Moche pottery of the unknown Histiotus It was ultimately described as Histiotus mochica in 2021 being named after the culture that had documented well before its discovery to Western science 2 References edit Histiotus mochica Velazco Almeida Claudio Gimenez amp Giannini 2021 www mammaldiversity org Retrieved 2021 11 30 a b c d e f Velazco Paul M Almeida Francisca Cunha Claudio Vinicius C Gimenez Analia L Giannini Norberto P 2021 10 13 A New Species of Histiotus Gervais 1856 Chiroptera Vespertilionidae from the Pacific Coast of Northern Peru American Museum Novitates 3979 1 30 doi 10 1206 3979 1 ISSN 0003 0082 S2CID 238747911 Dr Velazco Discovers Species of Bat in Northern Peru Connected to Ancient Moche Culture Arcadia University www arcadia edu Retrieved 2021 11 30 a b AMNH October 28 2021 New Bat Species Appears in Ancient Andean Ceramic Retrieved November 30 2021 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Moche big eared brown bat amp oldid 1177453445, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
