Chemotaxonomy seen from a phylogenetic perspective and evolution of secondary metabolism

CHEMOTAXONOMY SEEN FROM A PHYLOGENETIC PERSPECTIVE AND EVOLUTION OF SECONDARY METABOLISM 

Michael Wink, Flavia Botschen, Christina Gosmann, Holger Schafer and Peter G. Waterman  

Keywords chemotaxonomy patchy distribution biosynthesis genes horizontal gene transfer endophytes evolution tryptophan decarboxylase tyrosine decarboxylase phenylalanine ammonia-lyase chalcone synthase strictosidine synthase berberine bridge enzyme codeine reductase 

This chapter discusses the history and present state of chemotaxonomy in view of our knowledge of the molecular phylogeny of plants. In the second part of this chapter, the possible evolution of secondary metabolism will be elaborated (for a review, see Wink, 2003, 2007). This analysis helps to understand the discrepancies between chemotaxonomy and molecular phylogeny (for a review, see Wink, 2008). 

While the potential value of plant secondary metabolites to taxonomy has been recognized for nearly 200 years (Candolle, 1804 Abbott, 1886), their practical application has been restricted to this century and predominantly to the past 45 years. The first extensive advocacy of chemical taxonomy came 

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