Phrynobatrachus mababiensis FitzSimons, 1932
This successful and widespread species is not in need of special conservation measures (Text from Minter et al., 2004, © SI/MAB Biodiversity Program).
Dry periods are spent in aestivation (Text from Minter et al., 2004, © SI/MAB Biodiversity Program).
The colouration and markings of this species vary considerably, but its small size and characteristic insect like call make identification relatively easy (Text from Minter et al., 2004, © SI/MAB Biodiversity Program).
P. mababiensis feeds mainly on small insects such as midges and mosquitoes (Wager 1965). Predators have been recorded in East Africa (Loveridge 1953) and Zimbabwe (Broadley 1974). These include various snakes such as the Herald Snake Crotaphopeltis hotamboeia and Swamp Viper Atheris nitschei. Other predators include the Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis (Text from Minter et al., 2004, © SI/MAB Biodiversity Program).
Frost (2000) found that P. mababiensis occurs from the Sahel of East Africa to the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, west to Namibia and southern Angola (Text from Minter et al., 2004, © SI/MAB Biodiversity Program).
P. mababiensis inhabits open to wooded savanna and, less frequently, grassland, where summer rainfall is 500–1000 mm p.a. The species is also found in disturbed habitats near villages and other developments (Text from Minter et al., 2004, © SI/MAB Biodiversity Program).
Wager (1965) and Pienaar et al. (1976) found that metamorphosis is completed after about five weeks, at which stage the juvenile froglets are only 6 mm long (Text from Minter et al., 2004, © SI/MAB Biodiversity Program).
Wager (1965) reported that this species has an extended breeding season that begins after the first spring rains. Males call from the water’s edge, well concealed by vegetation. It breeds in shallow stagnant water amongst emergent vegetation on the edges of grassy pans, vleis, marshes, small dams and ponds, and in the backwaters of slow-flowing streams. Eggs are laid in a single flat layer c.5 cm in diameter, that floats on the waterAggression between males occurs frequently (Text from Minter et al., 2004, © SI/MAB Biodiversity Program).
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