Primate Dental Function and Evolution: Longitudinal 3D Analysis of Tooth Wear in Wild Baboons

Abstract Tooth wear constrains feeding efficiency, life history, and survival in mammals, yet its progression in wild populations remains poorly understood. We use high-resolution 3D analysis to quantify occlusal tissue loss over a three-year period in the upper premolars and molars (P 3 –M 3 ; n = 70) of wild baboons ( Papio ). Our sample includes olive baboons ( P. anubis ) and naturally occurring olive–hamadryas hybrids ( P. anubis × P. hamadryas ) from Awash National Park, Ethiopia. We compare individuals by age, sex, and hybrid status. Molars lost tissue significantly faster than premolars (molars: 0.13 mm³/mm²/year; premolars: 0.08 mm³/mm²/year), with the bulk of wear shifting from lingual to buccal cusps in older individuals. The rate of tissue loss did not increase with age, despite greater dentine exposure, likely reflecting the protective role of tertiary dentine. While overall wear did not differ significantly by sex, age, or hybrid status, subtle sex-related differences in P3 wear patterns were observed, likely associated with localized effects of the canine honing mechanism. These findings demonstrate the adaptive significance of gradual tissue loss in preserving dental function and establish comparative baselines for interpreting wear patterns in extinct primates, where dental remains often provide the primary record of diet and behavior.