Diphtherophora perplexans (Van Der Linde, 1938) Goodey, 1951

(Fig. 3 C, G, Table 2)

Morphologically, our populations from Iran fit well with the original population described from the USA (Cobb 1913). However, some morphometric characters also had larger ranges. Moreover, fine striations on the cuticle and large plate-like thickenings on the ventral or dorsal sides of the spear guiding apparatus were observed in some individuals, indicating close proximity of P. perplexans with P. pseudoperplexans (van der Linde, 1938) Goodey, 1951 . In this study, four populations representing D. perplexans were found: one population was recovered from the rhizosphere of plum ( Prunus domestica L.) trees in Mianeh, East Azerbaijan, Northwestern Iran; another population was recovered from the rhizosphere of apricot ( Prunus armeniaca L.) trees in Khalkhal, Ardebil province, Northwestern Iran; two additional populations were recovered from turf grass in the campus of Shiraz University, at Eram Square, Shiraz, Fars province, Southern Iran.