The National Science Foundation Division of Environmental Biology awarded the University of Oklahoma $584,541 on December 1, 2026, under the Biological Sciences program (CFDA 47.074) to study dual mimicry in the Yucatan banded gecko, which mimics venomous coral snakes as juveniles through conspicuous coloration and venomous scorpions as adults through tail-bending defensive displays.
The research uses an integrative approach to analyze morphology, behavior, and ontogenetic shifts across the gecko's life stages, examining how a single prey species can employ multiple mimicry strategies to evade predation by different predatory cohorts. The project encompasses student training and education, with planned educational outreach aimed at reducing public fear and increasing careful behavior around reptiles.
Performance occurs at Norman, Oklahoma, with a period of performance through November 30, 2029. The funding is classified as a Project Grant, a form of assistance in which NSF directly supports investigator-initiated research rather than competitively administered program competitions.