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A nearly complete skeleton found along the Jurassic Coast has been identified as a new species of ichthyosaur, a variety of prehistoric marine reptile that once dominated the oceans.

This marine creature ichthyosaur has been named Xiphodracon goldencapensis, or the "sword dragon of Dorset" and represents the sole documented example of its kind.

Researchers state that indentations on its cranium indicate the "blade serpent" may have been fatally wounded by a bite to the head, potentially inflicted by a significantly bigger species of ichthyosaur.

Initially found by a experienced fossil collector at Golden Cap in Dorset in 2001, the new ichthyosaur was later obtained by a institution in Canada.

Only in recent times been completely studied by experts and a research document released identifying it as a new species of ichthyosaur.

"I carefully considered about the name," said ichthyosaur expert Dr Dean Lomax, who collaborated on the paper classifying the skeleton as a new species.

"The name Xiphodracon means sword-like dragon and that refers to that extremely elongated, sword-like nose, but also the reality that ichthyosaurs have been referred to as sea dragons for about 200 years."

Prehistoric Ocean Creatures

Ichthyosaurs are classified as marine reptiles, not dinosaurs, because they lived entirely in the water. The discovered ichthyosaur is believed to have swum the seas about 185 million years ago, a time frame from which extremely rare ichthyosaur fossils have been found.

"During this time ichthyosaurs are extremely uncommon, and Xiphodracon is the best preserved individual ever found from there, helping to fill a gap," Dr Lomax stated. "It's a missing piece of the mystery in ichthyosaur development."

Unique Characteristics

The "sword dragon" is thought to have been about 3m long and has multiple characteristics that have never been observed in other species of ichthyosaur.

• Researchers say the most unusual feature is a prong-like bone near its nose opening
• The skull has an exceptionally large eye socket
• An extended sword-like snout that it used to consume fish and squid

Existence and Demise

There are also clues as to how this particular specimen existed and perished.

"The limb bones and teeth are malformed in such a way that points to serious injury or disease while the animal was still living," stated study contributor Dr Erin Maxwell.

"The skull seems to have been attacked by a sizeable hunter - probably a different much larger type of ichthyosaur - providing a cause of death for this individual. Existence in ancient seas was a dangerous prospect."

Finding and Study

This "sword dragon" was discovered in 2001 by paleontology enthusiast Chris Moore and then acquired by the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada where it required more than 15 years to be fully analyzed.

"I don't mean to boast but I have found a few of them," Mr Moore stated.

The precise count he's discovered is approximately 15, with multiple of them, like the "sword dragon", proving to be previously unknown types.

The discoverer stated he is planning to celebrate the recent finding but has not yet determined precisely what form the celebration will take.

"Either sparkling wine or traditional brew, I'm not sure which yet," he says.

The 'sword dragon' is among many ichthyosaur fossils that have been discovered along Dorset's Jurassic Coast since the initial findings of pioneering palaeontologist Mary Anning in the beginning of the nineteenth century.