Radiolaria - Spumellaria - Hagiastridae

Description: Rays medium in length, wide proximally, slightly tapering distally with long massive triradiate spines, one spine slightly longer than other three. Test comprised of large, nearly uniform size

of linearly arranged tetragonal pore frames on rays, small pentagonal and hexagonal concentrically arranged pore frames at central area. Central area medium in size. All pore frames lacking prominent nodes at vertices. Test with or without patagium.

Remarks: Higumastra lupheri, n. sp., differs from H. oregonensis, n. sp., by having wider and shorter rays with longer primary spines and by possessing concentrically arranged pore frames on the cortical shell of central area.

Etymology: This species is named for Dr. R. L. Lupher in hornor of his early contribution to the geology of east-central Oregon.

Full reference: K. Y. Yeh. 1987. Taxonomic Studies of Lower Jurassic Radiolaria from East-Central Oregon. National Museum of Natural Science Special Publications 2:1-169

Belongs to Higumastra according to K. Y. Yeh 1987

Sister taxa: Higumastra angustabraccia, Higumastra devilsgapensis, Higumastra exigua, Higumastra hui, Higumastra imbricata, Higumastra inflata, Higumastra laxa, Higumastra obesabraccia, Higumastra scassoi, Higumastra transversa

Type specimen: NMNS (000013). Its type locality is Suplee-Izee area, OR-600A, which is in a Toarcian marine tuff/limestone in the Hyde Formation of Oregon.

Ecology: passively mobile planktonic omnivore