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If memory serves, that actually came from Chris and Dave.

The scene in 99 (?) where the Sentinels state that they cannot get a proper fix on Wolverine, as he reads as both a mutant and something else, was intended as a set up for revealing him as one of the High Evolutionary's Ani-Men.

Then, unaware of their plans, Archie Goodwin used that idea for the origin of Spider-Woman, so Chris and Dave had to change direction. It was at that time that I suggested Sabertooth be Wolverine's father, himself the mutant and that mutation having bred true in his offspring. Thus, Wolverine was not a true mutant, but actually the first of a new species.

As it turned out, a later writer assigned to the series declared Spider-Woman being a super-evolved spider to be too "creepy", and so the High Evolutionary's part in her story was altered and reduced.

It was at that time that I suggested Sabertooth be Wolverine's father, himself the mutant and that mutation having bred true in his offspring. Thus, Wolverine was not a true mutant, but actually the first of a new species.

That's interesting.

It seems that for a long time Marvel is considering mutants as a species.

And now with their own island/country...

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Altho there was no question that the character had become "popular" with the fans, by that time there was no way to truly judge how much of that was due to people appreciating what was happening with him, and how much was dealers and speculators buying multiple copies of his every appearance.

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It's been a long time since Marvel has had a real grasp on what a "mutant" is, even in their own special context.