Pratylenchoides laticauda Braun & Loof 1966

Iranian population of Pratylenchoides laticauda Braun & Loof, 1966 (Figures: 2 & 5; Table 3) Female. Body slightly curved ventrally to C-shaped after heat fixation. Cuticle with distinct annuli, 1.3–1.6 µm wide at mid-body. Lateral field with six longitudinal incisures, occupying 29–37 % of the body width at mid-body; the number of incisures reduce to four in the post-phasmid level. Lip region off-set by slight depression with the body contour, rounded anteriorly or slightly flattened and bearing three or four distinct annuli, 9.9–11.0 µm wide at base and 3.2–4.4 µm high. Stylet strong with rounded to slightly posteriorly directed knobs, the conus 9.6–11.5 µm long and slightly longer than the shaft (Fig. 2 C–E and 5 A & B). Dorsal pharyngeal gland orifice located 2–4 µm behind stylet knobs. Deirids at the level of hemizonid or slightly anterior to it. Secretory-excretory pore 103–127 µm from the body anterior end; hemizonid 2–3 annuli anterior to the pore. Pharyngeal glands overlapping intestine dorsally, about 9–27 µm, the nucleus of the dorsal and one of the subventral glands located anterior to the pharyngo-intestinal valve and the nucleus of the other subventral gland with variable position relative to the oesophago-intestinal valve (level or slightly anterior or posterior to the valve) (Fig. 2 D & E and 5 F–I). Spermatheca rounded, filled with round sperm. Tail cylindrical, with rounded and coarsely striated terminus. Phasmids 16–30 µm posterior to the anus (Fig. 2 H–I and 5 O–R). Male. Similar to females in general view. Body slightly curved ventral to C-shape. Lateral field with six incisures, oblique striae and areolation may be observed. Lip region rounded, higher and narrower than that of female. Stylet slightly more slender than that of female (Fig. 2 F & G and 5 C & D). Spicules and gubernaculum typical of the genus. Tail conical, tapering gradually to a conoid or somewhat subcylindrical terminus (Fig. 2 L & M and 5 S). Remarks. Compared to the Dutch population of P. laticauda (Braun & Loof 1966), the Iranian population has a slightly shorter stylet (19.2–22.8 vs 22–23 µm). During the present study, this species was recovered from the rhizosphere of apricot trees (Prunus armeniaca) in Ilvang region, Khalkhal county, Ardebil province, northwestern Iran (GPS coordinates: N 37° 42' 17" – E 48°27'44") as a new record for Iranian nematofauna.