Tough life in the savannah? Chimpanzee foods are mechanically more demanding than previously thought

(Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology) A study led by researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology has analysed the mechanical properties and the isotopic composition of plant foods eaten by chimpanzees living in the tropical rain forest and savannah woodland. They found that the savannah chimpanzees eat foods that are more mechanically challenging and therefore may place higher selective pressures on their chewing apparatus compared to their conspecifics...