title: Morphology and function in the Cambrian Burgess Shale megacheiran arthropod Leanchoilia superlata and the application of a descriptive matrix.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Leanchoilia superlata is one of the best known arthropods from the middle Cambrian Burgess Shale of British Columbia. Here we re-describe the morphology of L. superlata and discuss its possible autecology. The re-description follows a standardized scheme, the descriptive matrix approach, designed to provide a template for descriptions of other megacheiran species.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Our findings differ in several respects from previous interpretations. Examples include a more slender body; a possible hypostome; a small specialised second appendage, bringing the number of pairs of head appendages to four; a further sub-division of the great appendage, making it more similar to that of other megacheirans; and a complex joint of the exopod reflecting the arthropod's swimming capabilities.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Different aspects of the morphology, for example, the morphology of the great appendage and the presence of a basipod with strong median armature on the biramous appendages indicate that L. superlata was an active and agile necto-benthic predator (not a scavenger or deposit feeder as previously interpreted).
authors.affiliation: Zoological Institute and Museum, Department of Cytology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany. joachim.haug@palaeo-evo-devo.info
authors.forename: Joachim T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Haug
authors.forename: Derek Eg
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Briggs
authors.forename: Carolin
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Haug
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001181:Arthropods / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D001955:British Columbia; D004463:Ecology; D005580:Fossils; D006257:Head / Q000033:anatomy & histology