The extreme conditions on these western islands, characterized by barren landscapes and poor soil, may be driving these plants to adopt older traits that offer better survival mechanisms.

The study indicates that significant biochemical shifts in these plants can be traced back to changes in just four amino acids within a single enzyme responsible for alkaloid production.

These small genetic modifications demonstrate how even minor changes can lead to substantial transformations in plant biochemistry.

Published in 'Nature Communications', these findings challenge traditional evolutionary views, highlighting the dynamic nature of genetic adaptation in response to environmental changes.

The implications of this research extend beyond tomatoes, suggesting that similar environmental factors could lead to the re-emergence of ancient traits in other species, including humans.

This raises controversial questions about evolution, indicating that traits once thought to be lost may actually be dormant and can reappear under specific conditions.

Lead researcher Adam Jozwiak emphasizes that this study could prompt a reevaluation of evolutionary theory and has potential applications in genetic engineering, including the development of new medicines and pest-resistant crops.

Overall, this research challenges the traditional linear view of evolution, suggesting that organisms can revert to ancestral traits through specific genetic pathways.

Recent research has revealed that tomatoes on the harsher western islands of the Galápagos archipelago are synthesizing alkaloids similar to those produced by their ancient ancestors, marking a significant departure from modern tomato varieties.

Supporting these findings, the research also involved inducing similar genetic changes in tobacco plants, which began producing the ancient alkaloids.

This phenomenon, described as 'de-evolution', suggests that certain tomato plants are reverting to a more primitive genetic state due to environmental pressures.

Researchers believe that the ancestral alkaloids could provide enhanced defense against the harsh environmental conditions, prompting this reverse evolution.