Previous research centered on the study of Aotus (night monkeys) has tended to focus on the biomedical insights this genus can offer in response to developing a malarial vaccine; the unusual monogamous social structure and the nocturnal behaviours of this primate. However, the recent acceptance that night active animals maybe cathermeral (exhibit 24- hour continuous cycle of activity) has led to new investigations exploring this phenomenon in night monkeys.

This investigation will provide a preliminary report on a single family of night monkeys (Aotus nigriceps) based at the Manu Learning Centre (MLC), Peru detailing periodical activity throughout the day and night with special emphasis on sleeping site choice. Visual material collected will allow the production of an illustrated guide of body positions (ethogram) as well.

Interestingly, The Secret Life of the Night Monkeys: Cathermerality and Sleeping Site Choice in Aotus nigriceps, Manu Learning Centre, Peru, 2005., has collated primatological (all occurrences recording every 60 seconds) and fine art techniques (water- colour paintings and pencil sketches) to form the methodology. Digital photographs of the A. nigriceps family members and the canopy above sleeping sites also forms part of the data to calculate leaf area index of 'sleeper trees' and capture 'visual individual differences'. This combination of methods was selected to measure subtle movements of night monkeys during the day.

The fieldwork component of this project has totalled 1,200 hours.

The data for this research is currently undergoing analysis; (a full report will follow in April 2006). A brief summary of the significant findings from this study to date shows the use of:

1. 'Sleeper trees' that are all of the species Melastomataceae (within a Miconia thicket) with relatively thick leaf canopy coverage and within 20 meters of each other.

2. The use of 10 exclusive 'sleeper trees', which include 'favourite sleeper trees' in which, most hours are spent asleep.

3. 'Rest trees', visited during the day, where grooming and stretching may take place, before returning to a 'sleeper tree'.

4. Specific vines/ branches selected within 'sleeper trees' for sleeping and other diurnal activities.

5. A 'tree rotational' behavioural pattern, which includes the family changing from one 'sleeper tree' to another (up to three times) over one day, this has been linked to: change in weather; threat of predation; parasitic irritation; daytime feeding; passing sympatric Callicebus moloch brunneus pairs (titi monkeys) or other mammals eg. Tamandua tetradactyla (Southern tamandua); an exchange from a 'sleeper tree' to a 'rest tree'.

6. Particular sleeping positions (illustrated), depicting male-infant and male-female huddle as most significant positions.

7. Individual- specific behaviours; the male may exhibit 'infant swing', whereby he will slide the infant from its usual position on his back, down onto his chest during times of very heavy rain. The female most commonly spends more time awake, watching, than the other family members.

1. An A. nigriceps family activity budget (for each member) during daylight hours in relation to the following variables: moon phase; temperature; weather change; aerial predators; other mammals in close proximity, including encounters with C. moloch brunneus sympatric pairs and will also include how many hours each member spends asleep during the day.

2. A thorough analysis of 'sleeper trees' and 'favourite trees' using leaf area index, and physical examination records to calculate why 'sleeper trees' /'favourite trees'/'resting trees' are chosen over other similar ones.

3. Illustrations of the intimate diurnal behaviours of this family; in relation to each other; individual behaviours and in context of their environment.

4. A photographic catalogue of the family whilst asleep, resting, during lactation, scratching and feeding as well as portraits of each member, as a measure of individual difference.

Education
'2/1 BA (hons) in Fine Art and Anthropology (Hons)'
Oxford Brookes University, Richard Hamilton Building, Oxford. OX2 6AP
July 2003

Publications
BBC Oxford Website: audio/ visual article;
'BBC - Oxford Features - Art and Anthropology'
October 2003

Exhibitions
East Oxford Community Centre, Oxford
Don't Think, Feel: Video;
'I am not a performer'
April 2003

Field Work:
Manu Learning Centre, Manu national park, S.E Peru
(October 2004 - July 2005)
Research supported by CREES documenting the diurnal behaviour of the primate species night monkey (Aotus nigricpes), both scientifically and artistically for 'The Secret Life of the Night Monkeys' project.

Explorer's Inn, Postales 48, Puerto Maldonada, Peru
(June 2004 - September 2004)
Selected for the Resident Naturalist Program www.geocities.com/resident_naturalist

La Suerte Biological Field Station, Costa Rica
(December 2003 - January 2004)
Assisting development of projects and teaching of primatological methodology in the field to ten university students.

Panch Kund Temple, Pushka, India
(December 2002 - January 2003)
Data collection centered around the feeding habits of the primate species, Hanuman langur (Semnopithecus entellus).

Voluntary Positions
London Zoo, Regents Park, London
(February 2004- June 2004)
Caring for primates, assisting in the feeding, administering of medicine and cleaning of cages and interpreting behaviours in relation to welfare.

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