From the IUCN Red List Species Account:

Range Description

This species is known from near Bundibugyo in Semliki Valley in western Uganda, at the foot of the Ruwenzori Mountains from Djuma and Orientale, Mayimbili (DRC) (Greenbaum and Kusamba 2010, Evans et al. 2011). The altitudinal range is from  700-1,200 m asl. Its range, herein taken as a proxy for extent of occurrence (EOO) is estimated to be 4,586 km², but this excludes a record from Budongo Forest in Channing and Howell (2006), which may be in error and requires further investigation.

Habitat and Ecology

It is assumed to be a principally aquatic species in lowland rainforest. However, the type locality is a pool in a banana plantation. This species is known to live together with Xenopus pygmaeus (Evans et al. 2011, Tymowska and Fischberg 1973). It appears that, like X. fraseri, it can survive in degraded habitats, provided that the pools which it requires for breeding in are shaded.

Population

It is a very poorly known species. Recent collectors have commented that it is rare within the area it is distributed (E. Greenbaum pers. comm. May 2012).

Population Trend

unknown

Major Threats

There is very little direct information on threats to this species. It may not withstand complete opening up of its habitat, and it is likely also to be harvested locally for human consumption.

Conservation Actions

It is not know from any well protected areas. More information is required on the distribution and influence of habitat change on this species.

Red List Status

Data Deficient (DD)

Rationale

Listed as Data Deficient in view of continuing uncertainties as to its extent of occurrence, status and ecological requirements.

Taxonomic Notes

Uniquely among vertebrates (except Xenopus longipes), this is a dodecaploid species, and it is therefore of considerable conservation interest. It was probably formed by both hybridization and polyploidisation (Loumont and Kobel 1991).

Citation

IUCN SSC Amphibian Specialist Group 2014. Xenopus ruwenzoriensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2014: e.T58180A16942495. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T58180A16942495.en .Downloaded on 14 November 2018