Three heat shock proteins are essential for rotifer thermotolerance

► We use RNAi to test roles of four heat shock proteins in rotifer thermotolerance. ► We show hsp40, hsp60, and hsp70 genes are required for rotifer thermotolerance. ► Quantitative PCR reveals hsp40 is up-regulated following heat shock. ► Expression of hsp40 mRNA is shown in multiple tissues.