Biodiversity & Conservation

A bristleworm - Notomastus latericeus

Notomastus latericeus

Image Crown copyright - Notomastus latericeus.
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Distribution map

Notomastus latericeus recorded (dark blue bullet) and expected (light blue bullet) distribution in Britain and Ireland (see below)

Why do the maps differ?

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Notomastus latericeus is not listed under any importance categories.

Taxonomy icon Taxonomy Taxon English term
Phylum Annelida Segmented worms e.g. ragworms, tubeworms & fanworms
Class Polychaeta Bristleworms, e.g. ragworms, scaleworms, paddleworms, fanworms and tubeworms
Authority M. Sars, 1851
Recent synonyms None
Map icon Recorded Distribution in Britain and Ireland Recorded from the various locations around the British Isles.
Habitat information icon Habitat information Notomastus latericeus is found from the lower shore to deep sublittoral habitats, in clean or muddy sand. It is also often found amongst seagrasses.
Text page icon Description The body of Notomastus latericeus is between 15 to 30 cm long, and is divided into between 100 and 150 segments. The anterior region of the worm is purple or dark red, becoming brighter or yellowish posteriorly. In general, the posterior region of the animal is colourless or transparent.
Identifying features
  • Between 100 to 150 segments, and between 15 and 30 cm long.
  • Anterior region of 12 chaetigers with reticulated appearance, all of which have chitinous bristles (capillary chaetae) projecting from the parapodium.
  • Paired genital pores on the dorsal surfaces of many anterior segments of posterior region.
  • The posterior most division of the three divisions of the body (pygidium) terminates in a membranous flap.
  • Simple gills, formed by extensions of the rami along most of the posterior region.
  • Branchaie may be present.
Additional information icon Additional information No text entered

This review can be cited as follows:

Edward Mayhew 2005. Notomastus latericeus. A bristleworm. Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Sub-programme [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. [cited 18/05/2013]. Available from: <http://www.marlin.ac.uk/speciesinformation.php?speciesID=3910>