Abstract
One of the aims of this chapter is to delineate the enormous diversity of metabolites in animals, focusing on amphibians, reptiles, aves/birds, and invertebrates. In concept, this chapter briefly describes metabolites in the simplest terms, as intermediates or end products of biotransformation of targeted substrates in the pathways of metabolic processes. The process of metabolism, with the consequent production of metabolites, occurs in all animals, vertebrates, and invertebrates. The grouping of metabolites into primary and secondary is with reference to their specific physiological utilization in the host animal. To illustrate the incredible diversity of metabolites, several examples of secondary metabolites and their sources of synthesis in birds, amphibians, and invertebrates are highlighted. The role and significance of host–symbiont (organism–bacterial/algal symbiosis) in the synthesis of metabolites is highlighted. Furthermore, the overall physiological significance of metabolites to the host animal, to the ecosystem, and to the drug development in pharmaceutical industry and its health implications are also highlighted.
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