About Desmognathus planiceps Newman, 1955
Desmognathus planiceps closely resembles many other species in the genus Desmognathus, but it can be distinguished by three key traits: a flattened head, a reddish-brown dorsal stripe dotted with dark spots, and tan spots on the venter. This species is distributed in the Blue Ridge Mountains and adjacent Piedmont of Virginia, ranging from southern Roanoke County south to the headwaters of the Dan River in Patrick County, and east to Pittsylvania County. Potential specimens that may belong to this species have also been recorded from the New River drainage in Floyd County, Virginia, and possibly adjacent regions of North Carolina.
