Are thick leaves, large mesophyll cells and small intercellular air spaces requisites for CAM?

Background and Aims It is commonly accepted that the leaf of a crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) plant is thick, with large mesophyll cells and vacuoles that can accommodate the malic acid produced during the night. The link between mesophyll characteristics and CAM mode, whether obligate or C3/CAM, was evaluated. Methods Published values of the carbon isotopic ratio (δ 13C) as an indicator of CAM, leaf thickness, leaf micrographs and other...