During expeditions through La Amistad International Park, investigators discovered a salamander that was very distinct from other species in the region.

[2] The species was formally described to science in 2022 with a specific epithet chosen by the discoverers to honor Cathy Ledec, a conservationist and supporter of Neotropical salamanders.

The eyes have a black horizonal oval-shaped lens and the iris is flecked with gold and red.

The Chiriquí fire salamander in only known from a single site in the Panamanian Cordillera de Talamanca and apparently inhabits the Talamancan montane forests ecosystem at elevations around 1900 meters.

The discoverers suggested that the species be listed as critically endangered by the IUCN, owing to its limited distribution and likely anthropogenic pressures in the area.