Abstract
A series of structurally identical or related compounds has been detected in plants
and animals, especially in the arthropods. Being simple but also complex structures
of terpenoids, alkaloids and some glycosides, these compounds must be regarded as
secondary products. Some of these compounds are sequestered by animals from the plants
but identical or closely related structures are also produced by animals. In many
cases it has not been proven convincingly whether these compounds are sequestered
or self synthesized by the animals. The present paper gives an overview on these substances
also regarding their biological significance for animals.
1 Vortrag anläßlich der 29. Vortragstagung der Gesellschaft für Arzneipflanzenforschung
in Marburg, Juni 1981
