A Conservation Assessment and Systematic Review of the Endangered Spectacled Flying‐Fox

The spectacled flying‐fox Pteropus conspicillatus population has declined by 75% in two decades to become endangered. This systematic review, the first since 2011, updates knowledge of the species and identifies pressing issues in its conservation, some not recognized previously. Gaps in knowledge have been identified and, where appropriate, species phylogenetically close to P. conspicillatus have been used to inform better understanding of the focal species. Extreme heat events are now a lethal reality, habitat loss and declining condition continue, pressure to disperse roosts is pervasive, and conservation is affected by false perceptions of the species' impacts. Averting threats to this species and obtaining resources to help it recover are urgent. Priorities for action should now include surveys and characterization of roosts; modeling future heat events to inform recovery priorities; physiological studies to determine heat tolerances; developing a population growth model to inform targets for population recovery; reinstating systematic population counts; improving monitoring methods; tracking individuals over time to understand habitat use; improving understanding of diets; restoring and managing roosts in accordance with research and best practice; and improving knowledge of diseases. The article updates and revises known diet species and the number of roosts used by P. conspicillatus in Australia.