N. latericeus is tubicolous as a juvenile, but free-living when adult. Adult specimens build partially spiralled burrows that maintain integrity for some time after construction, but lack a distinct wall structure. Capitellids are mentioned to be non-selective deposit feeders, although N. latericeus may prove to be more selective as suggested by its gut contents. The species is recorded living as a commensal with the entoproct Loxosoma singulare (Hartmann-Schröder, 1971; Wolff, 1973; Fauchald & Jumars, 1979). [details]

Description: Simple bristle worm without distinct appendages. The body is relatively long (up to 300 mm) and is
separated into a relatively thick, cylindrical anterior end coloured purple to dark red and a thinner
bright red or yellowish posterior end. The head is short and conical. The species lives in a spiralled burrow. [details]

Distribution: Notomastus latericeus has a relatively low frequency of occurrence, but is found across the entire Belgian part of the North Sea. The species is almost completely (1976-1986 period) or even completely absent (1994-2001 period) in the eastern coastal zone only. In the 1976-1986 period densities remained below 100 ind./m2 whereas densities up to approximately 600 ind./m2 were recorded in the 1994-2001 period. [details]

Distribution: Saguenay Fjord, lower St. Lawrence estuary; Prince Edward Island (from the northern tip of Miscou Island, N.B. to Cape Breton Island south of Cheticamp, including the Northumberland Strait and Georges Bay to the Canso Strait causeway); Cobscook Bay [details]

Distribution: This species is quite common at the Oyster Ground. N. latericeus also occurs at a few locations in the south-western part of the Southern Bight, near the coast and in the marine part of the Delta area. [details]

Habitat: bathyal, infralittoral and circalittoral of the Gulf and estuary [details]

Habitat: Known from seamounts and knolls [details]

Habitat: Notomastus latericeus has no clear preference for a specific median grain size: the habitat preference appears to be mainly determined by the mud content. Sediments with a mud content of 0 to 50% are suitable for N. latericeus, but the species displays a preference for sediments with a mud content of 10-30% (relative occurrence: > 50%). [details]

Habitat: In the study area N. latericeus shows a clear preference for fine muddy sand. In the southernmost part of the Southern Bight the species is found in coarse sand. [details]

Morphology: Like most members of the Capitellidae this is a species with a simple, smooth body, lacking any appendages other than short chaetae. The head is short, triangular and smooth. The species has an eversible sac-like pharynx. The body is relatively long, up to 150 mm, and made up of 150 segments, which are of two types and divided over two body regions. The anterior region is relatively thick, cylindrical and purple or dark red. The tail region is more slender and bright red or yellowish (Hartmann-Schröder, 1971; Hayward & Ryland, 1990). [details]