biostudies-literatureUnknown14Arts MGIExometabolites released by benthic primary producers (BPP) are an integral part of the coral reef food web. Depending on their origin and composition these complex mixtures of dissolved organic compounds support a distinct microbial community. Which exudate components are preferentially used by microbes, how this preference differs between exudate types, and what molecular features drive the microbial community differentiation is still poorly understood. Here we use an untargeted metabolomics approach (liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS)) to assess the microbial uptake of exudates produced by BPP (mixed coral community, macroalgae, turf algae, and coral-macroalgae, coral-turf algae). We can show that that exudate compounds and especially those unique to a specific BPPPeerJe20748https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12897362biostudies-literaturePreference for producer specific exudates shapes microbial communities in coral reefs.PMC12897362Petras DHopmans EArts MGINelson CEHaas AFKoester IMueller BKelly LWVermeij MJAfalsePreference for producer specific exudates shapes microbial communities in coral reefs.Exometabolites released by benthic primary producers (BPP) are an integral part of the coral reef food web. Depending on their origin and composition these complex mixtures of dissolved organic compounds support a distinct microbial community. Which exudate components are preferentially used by microbes, how this preference differs between exudate types, and what molecular features drive the microbial community differentiation is still poorly understood. Here we use an untargeted metabolomics approach (liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS)) to assess the microbial uptake of exudates produced by BPP (mixed coral community, macroalgae, turf algae, and coral-macroalgae, coral-turf algae). We can show that that exudate compounds and especially those unique to a specific BPP2026-01-01T00:00:00Z20262026-07-15T17:27:05.738Z2026-07-07T03:08:37.678ZS-EPMC128973624169570610.7717/peerj.20748