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205 / Paleozoic
Leanchoilia
Leanchoilia superlata
A pair of great appendages ended in three long whips that could sense, seize and move food.
- Time range
- About 508 million years ago
- Final stage
- Middle Cambrian
- Geographic range
- Deep shelf mud · Burgess Shale, Canada
01 / DEFINITION & ECOLOGY
What was Leanchoilia?
Leanchoilia (Leanchoilia superlata) was an extinct organism known from About 508 million years ago, with a range in Deep shelf mud · Burgess Shale, Canada.
Life and ecology
Leanchoilia was a megacheiran arthropod with a head shield, segmented trunk and lateral swimming flaps. It probably searched close to the bottom for prey or detritus.
02 / DISAPPEARANCE
Why did Leanchoilia disappear?
Early arthropod lineages were reorganized after the Cambrian, and this combination of great appendages and trunk structures disappeared.
03 / EVIDENCE
How do scientists know about Leanchoilia?
Exceptional fossils preserve eyes, gill flaps, gut and delicate great appendages across several growth stages.
04 / SOURCES & FURTHER READING
Check the source record
Use the scientific name to compare taxonomy, occurrence records and the fossil record. Database coverage and classifications may differ.
05 / REVISION HISTORY
How has this record changed?
- Verified authoritative entity sources and added three responsive reconstruction sizes.
- Initial bilingual species record published.
06 / CORRECTIONS & ADDITIONS