noun
mutant strain; mutated variant; mutant species
Biology term for a strain or species that has undergone genetic mutation. Used in scientific contexts.
この変異種は従来の株より感染力が強い。
This mutant strain is more infectious than the conventional strain.
研究者たちは新たな変異種の出現を監視している。
Researchers are monitoring the emergence of new mutant variants.
変異株 is often used specifically for viral or bacterial mutant strains, whereas 変異種 can apply to any organism.
Compound of 変異 (mutation) + 種 (species, strain). The exact historical derivation is uncertain; the spelling is conventionally associated with the meaning.