Description: The brownback salamander is so-named for its brown color, which is in contrast with the yellow hue of southern two-lined salamanders. Members of the species are typically 30–40 mm. Males and females are sexually dimorphic in head shape with the males having broader heads. Males of the brownback salamander do not possess cirri, which distinguishes this species from other brook salamanders including the southern two-lined salamander.

Habitat: The brownback salamander occurs in springs throughout the Southeast.

Range: Vverified localities existing in Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee.

Found in these States: AL | GA | TN

Diet: Larvae are carnivorous and likely eat a variety of insect and other invertebrate prey. Major prey items include isopods, amphipods, midges, dipteran pupae, stonefly nymphs, and chironomid larvae. Adult salamanders likely feed on a wide range of invertebrates. Potential prey include annelids, snails, arachnids, and isopods, and insects such as beetles, bugs, roaches, springtails, dipterans, and hymenopterans

Reproduction: Breeding habitat. Springs and small woodland streams are the most likely nesting sites. Eggs are likely deposited on the undersides of rocks and logs in flowing water, and females brood. The average clutch size in the vicinity of the type locality is 80 (range 60–96)

Status: Listed threats are: "(1) host springs are small, (2) endemic fish have drawn much attention, and (3) herpetological collections have been undisciplined."

Taxonomy: