''Theridion logan'' is a species of

spider Spiders ( order Araneae) are air-breathing arthropods that have eight legs, chelicerae with fangs generally able to inject venom, and spinnerets that extrude silk. They are the largest order of arachnids and rank seventh in total species ...

in the

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

Theridiidae Theridiidae, also known as the tangle-web spiders, cobweb spiders and comb-footed spiders, is a large family of Araneomorphae, araneomorph spiders first described by Carl Jakob Sundevall in 1833. This diverse, globally distributed family includes ...

. Its Latin name refers to

Logan Canyon Logan Canyon is in the western United States in northeastern Utah, a canyon that cuts its way through the Bear River Mountains, a branch of the Wasatch Range. It is popular for both summer and winter activities, especially rock-climbing, hikin ...

Utah Utah ( , ) is a state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. Utah is a landlocked U.S. state bordered to its east by Colorado, to its northeast by Wyoming, to its north by Idaho, to its south by Arizona, and to it ...

, where the species was first discovered. The spider was discovered by two

Utah State University Utah State University (USU or Utah State) is a public land-grant research university in Logan, Utah. It is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. With nearly 20,000 students living on or near campus, USU is Utah's ...

doctoral students, Stephanie Cobbold and Lori Spears, while performing research on spider communities in Logan Canyon.

Appearance

''Theridion logan'' is approximately long, with the female being slightly wider and longer than the male. The spider has a black and white round body, with

chevron Chevron (often relating to V-shaped patterns) may refer to: Science and technology * Chevron (aerospace), sawtooth patterns on some jet engines * Chevron (anatomy), a bone * ''Eulithis testata'', a moth * Chevron (geology), a fold in rock lay ...

stripes on its abdomen and spots on its top. Its appearance most closely matches ''Theridion rabuni''.

Distribution

''Theridion logan'' has been discovered in three locations, all near the city of

Logan, Utah Logan is a city in Cache County, Utah, United States. The 2020 census recorded the population was 52,778. Logan is the county seat of Cache County and the principal city of the Logan metropolitan area, which includes Cache County and Franklin ...

: Logan Canyon, Green Canyon, and Blacksmith Fork Canyon. Although these spots are popular recreational areas, the spider does not seem to be affected by the presence of humans. Despite the limited distribution, ''T. logan'' does not appear to be in danger of extinction.

Ecology

The species is found in sagebrush and other shrubs in its distribution area. Like most Theridiidae, it spins irregular three-dimensional webs. Prey most likely is limited to small insects. The venom of ''T. logan'' is considered harmless to humans.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q16993054 Theridiidae Endemic fauna of Utah Spiders of the United States Spiders described in 2013