Wevets, Chronos, SuaSponte, et al.:
The most striking example of variation in domestic animals is the range of dogs. I’m sure we can take the many breeds of dogs as an indication of the variability inherent is a single species of mammal.
Variation seems to be the term used in discussing species even for the (often small) differences that enable us to recognize acquaintances or public figures in newspaper photos. “Variation” is used for the differences that occur as geographic phenomenon: geographic variation. Even polymorphisms are described as “clear-cut variations of a species” - ABO blood groups is the one that always comes to mind.
The word doesn’t seem to carry the emotional/historical baggage of “race” and still it’s meaning will be known to biologists and civilians as well.
Why aren’t we using it?