Bismarck masked flying fox

The Bismarck masked flying fox (Pteropus capistratus) is a species of flying fox in the family Pteropodidae found in Papua New Guinea and named after the Bismarck Archipelago. It was once considered a subspecies of Pteropus temminckii before being reassessed in 2001. This species has two subspecies, P. c. capistratus and P. c. ennisae.^[2] The IUCN classified it as Near Threatened in 2009, noting that the rate of decline is almost high enough to reclassify the species as Vulnerable.^[1]

Bismarck masked flying fox
Conservation status
Vulnerable  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Chiroptera
Family:	Pteropodidae
Genus:	Pteropus
Species:	P. capistratus
Binomial name
Pteropus capistratus Peters, 1867
Bismarck masked flying fox range (green — native, brown — vagrant)
Synonyms
Pteropus temminckii capistratus (Peters, 1867)

Taxonomy

The Bismarck masked flying fox was described as a new species in 1867 by German naturalist Wilhelm Peters.^[3] Prior to 1995, the Bismarck masked flying fox was largely considered a subspecies of the Temminck's flying fox (Pteropus temminckii).^[4]

Description

Its forearm length is 109–118 mm (4.3–4.6 in).^[5]

Biology and ecology

It is one of the rare species of mammals in which the males can lactate.^[6] It is generally solitary, though males and females may roost together in pairs.^[7]: 6

Range and habitat

The Bismarck masked flying fox is endemic to Papua New Guinea where it has been documented at a range of elevations from 0–1,200 m (0–3,937 ft) above sea level.^[1]

Conservation

As of 2021, it is evaluated as a vulnerable species by the IUCN. It meets the criteria for this designation because it has a small population size, likely numbering fewer than 10,000 mature individuals. It is experiencing significant habitat loss and population decline.^[1]