genetic differentiation caused by isolation

This paper, recently published in the Journal of Human Genetics, sheds new light on the genetic differences between North African and Southwestern European populations.  Some believe that this area is a genetic "melting pot" while others believe it is clearly genetically distinct, and this paper argues for the latter.  Alu elements, SNP and STR were analyzed in established populations in each geographic location.  Genetic patterns were identified using sPCA; this method eliminated local genetic differentiation.  The study found that genetic differentiation between the populations is caused by isolation and not a barrier to gene flow such as cultural differences.

http://www.nature.com/jhg/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/jhg201394a.html