The Larch Mountain salamander was originally described as a species by D.M. Burns in 1962. Originally considered a subspecies of Van Dyke's salamander, the Larch Mountain salamander's closest genetic relative is the Jemez Mountains salamander, endemic to New Mexico.[2]
Description
A juvenile P. larselli
The Larch Mountain salamander is a small, terrestrial salamander. The species is characterized by a variable dorsal stripe, typically orange, light brown, or yellow, which is often blotchy. The ground color is brown, with light speckling in certain areas. This species is easily distinguishable from other western Plethodon by its reddish-salmonish venter. Adults are typically just smaller than 2 inches in snout-to-vent length, with a mode of 15 costal grooves.[3]
