Secondary metabolite production seems to have arisen quite early during evolution. In plants, they seem to have spread out using mechanisms including gene duplications or the evolution of novel genes. Furthermore, research has shown that diversity in some of these compounds may be positively selected for.
The emergence of secondary metabolites seems to have occurred relatively early in evolutionary history. In plant species, they seem to have dispersed through various mechanisms, including genetic duplication and the evolution of new genes. Moreover, research has shown that diversity in certain compounds is positively selected for, suggesting an adaptive advantage.