Dust affects chewing efficiency and tooth wear in forest dwelling Western chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes verus).

Our findings show that a periodical increase in dust loads on foods places a dietary-physiological stress on the digestive system in chimpanzees. We suggest that the impact of extrinsic abrasive particles from globally acting periodical dust-laden winds may affect evolutionary fitness. Further studies are required to elucidate this relationship in other non-human primates and fossil hominins.