A full set of 61 PyHsp70 genes was characterized in the P. yessoensis genome.
Extensive expansion of Hsp70 genes occurred independently in the bivalve lineages.
PyHsp70s up-regulated after A. catenella exposure were all from the bivalve-specific expanded Hspa12 sub-family.
Responses to toxic stress in scallop may have arisen through adaptive evolution of tandem duplication of PyHsp70 genes.