There may have been "no random mutation" if the group theory math does apply to these 'greens'. I have not presented this view much here yet, yet this might be due to different rings of groups theory in the cellulose due to motion of electrons on photon impact and have no relation to base changes but that indeed is as specualtive and potentially wrong as I can get. It would be exicting to see a new perspective on this old evolutionary narrative but yous all will have to wait for me to work that up.
If cross species change were possible I think it would be due to the different plannar forms on the right of the picture below. This would have to be coordinated with the symmetry of cellulose physical chemistry. I have in no way taken this on to VOLVOX but it was the form colony that lead me to this thought not the lack of evidence for its possibility.