Species of bat
 ;templatestyles src="Template:Taxobox/core/styles.css" / ;
The New Ireland masked flying fox (Pteropus ennisae) is a species of megabat that is endemic to Papua New Guinea.
Taxonomy and etymology.
The New Ireland masked flying fox was initially described in 1991 by Tim Flannery and J. P. White, who regarded it as a subspecies of Temminck's flying fox ("Pteropus temminckii ennisae"). The holotype had been collected by Flannery, Lester Seri, T. Heinsohn, and Patricia Ennis on the island of New Ireland in 1988. In a 1995 publication, Flannery considered it instead as a subspecies of the Bismarck masked flying fox ("Pteropus capistratus ennisae"). However, a 2014 study found that the genetic distance between "P. capistratus" and "P. c. ennisae" (4.7%), along with several physical differences, was enough to warrant elevating "P. ennisae" to species level. The eponym for the species name "ennisae" is Patricia "Tish" Ennis.
Description.
Individuals have a mass of , a head and body length of and a forearm length of . It can be differentiated from the Bismarck masked flying fox by its indistinct facial markings, darker claws, and darker flight membranes. The top of its head lacks the yellowish tint seen in the Bismarck masked flying fox.
Range and habitat.
The New Ireland masked flying fox is endemic to the island of New Ireland in Papua New Guinea. It is found in forested habitat from sea level to above sea level.
Conservation.
As of 2022, it is considered a vulnerable species by the IUCN. Its population is thought to number between 9,000 and 10,000 mature individuals with a declining trend. It is an uncommon species, occurring in a low density throughout its range. There is extensive and ongoing deforestation on Papua New Guinea that is causing habitat loss.
References.
 ;templatestyles src="Reflist/styles.css" / ;