field guide to the amphibians and reptiles of arusha national park

Strongylopus fasciatus from the same locality, individual with plain reddish back.
populations in the mountains from northern
Tanzania to South Africa, westward
up to Zambia and eastern Zimbabwe.
This scattered distribution is a clear relict
of the cooler periods during the
Pleistocene when these populations
were linked together. Strongylopus fasciatus
merumontanus is endemic in the
uplands of northern Tanzania including
Mt. Meru, Uluguru and Usumbara Mts.
S.f. fuelleborni occurs in southern
Tanzania, eastern Zambia and Malawi.
S.f. fasciatus is widespread in South
Africa and Zimbabwe.
Local distribution
Limited to the upper meadows and open
forested areas of Mt. Meru from
Kilimanjaro view point upwards, and the
wet areas near the arched Fig tree
(about 1900 m) up to Njeku camp in the
caldera (over 2500 m) and Kitoto forest.
The species probably occurs also in
higher zones since the type specimen of
S.f. merumontanus has been collected
at 3000 meters.
Ecology and general behaviour
Stream frogs are generally found near
open grasslands within the forest, but
during the wet season they move into
the forest quite far from wet areas. We
observed several young individuals
Strongylopus along the road from
Kilimanjaro view point to Kitoto forest
view point. Taking photographs of this
species is quite difficult as they are fast
moving and can jump long distances.
The call of Strongylopus fasciatus is a
clear high-pitched “pip” uttered singly or
in a short burst of three or four; it is quite
difficult to distinguish from the call of
Hyperolius viridiflavus.
Reproduction
The eggs are laid singly among vegetation
in shallow waters. During April and
May on Meru we found many juveniles
of about 20 - 25 mm body length. The
reproduction peak probably occurs during
the small rains of October to
December.
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