The genome sequence and gene models of Volvox carteri were downloaded from Phytozome, the Joint Genome Institute (JGI) plant genomics portal. In order to allow comparative analyses with other algal genomes sequenced by the JGI, a copy of this genome is incorporated into PhycoCosm.

We applied filters to remove if present: 1) transposable elements, 2) pseudogenes, 3) alternative transcripts and overlapping models, and 4) unsupported short models. This resulted in removal of 2,999 models from V. carteri v2.1 and generation of the FilteredModels1 gene track. All published models are available in the ExternalModels track. JGI tools were used to automatically annotate predicted proteins.