The Channel Box/ Layer Editor is not to be confused with the USD Layer Editor. Both are unique, separate dialogs in the Maya interface. Edit the attributes of USD prims in the Channel Box/Layer Editor. Work with USD layers and USD files in the USD Layer Editor.
You can edit the attributes of USD prims with the Channel Box and use the it to modify SRT(scale, rotation and translation) values and visibility of USD data. Like the Attribute Editor, the Channel Box displays the data model in its top row next to the selected item's name. Just as with Maya data, selecting an object from the outliner menu will switch the Channel Box to display that object. Select prims/ objects in your Maya scene to view, edit and set keyframes on channels/attributes in the Channel Box.
You can toggle layer visibilty/animation preferences with Display Layers/Animation Layers for your prims. With the display layer editor you can add/remove prims from display layers, toggle the visibility of display layers and hide layers on playback, enhancing your shot-based animation workflow. Display Layers can be used as templates for your prims and you can also reference prims on display layers so they are undetectable in the viewport.
Display layers are commonly used by layout artists to manage and modify heavy datasets by splitting data into unique display layers. As such many prims can be grouped together on a display layer so they can be quickly selected have bulk actions performed on them (ie. unloading, framing, toggling visibility).
Unique use cases or examples where display layers can optimize your workflow: