[2] However, recent molecular studies using DNA sequencing have consistently indicated that the false gharial (Tomistoma) (and by inference other related extinct forms in Tomistominae) actually belong to Gavialoidea (and Gavialidae).

However, although most of their history is recorded on the continent, dispersion was achieved via a prior presence in the Caribbean (Aktiogavialis, the oldest known gryposuchine, from in the Middle Oligocene of Puerto Rico, and Dadagavialis in the Early Miocene of Panama, respectively).

On the flipside, whereas most gryposuchines were restricted to a certain coastal region and time period, Gryposuchus enjoyed a continent wide distribution, spread from Andeo-Venezuelan drainage basin to Argentina from the Middle Miocene onwards.

[16] At the Miocene/Pliocene boundary, all gryposuchines, and thus the entire superfamily of Gavialoidea, along with the first wave of crocodyloids (Brasilosuchus and Charactosuchus, which also colonized during the Miocene) were likely extirpated from South America, with Caimaninae undergoing a severe reduction in size and diversity as well.

[19] Furthermore, crocodyloids would recolonize South America via the African Crocodylus in the early Pliocene,[15] whereas gryposuchines would only re-appear in the fossil record six million years later, as "Ikanogavialis" papuensis, in the Late Pleistocene/Holocene marine sediments of the Woodlark Island, in the Solomon Sea.

Separated by a geographical barrier of at least 10,000 km, this gavialoid had presumably reached Melanesia in a similar fashion as Brachylophus and Lapitiguana iguanas, being carried by Pacific oceanic currents.

Found in association with dugongs and sea turtles, "Ikanogavialis" papuensis was a marine animal like its ancestors, a 2-3 meter long coastal piscivore so far known only from Murua.