🔗 Share this article Remains Uncovered on UK Shoreline Represents One-of-a-kind 'Sword Dragon' Species Ichthyosaur specialists alongside the 185 million year old skeleton A nearly complete fossilized frame discovered along Dorset's Jurassic Coast has been identified as a new kind of ichthyosaur, a variety of prehistoric marine reptile that once ruled the oceans. The dolphin-sized ichthyosaur has been designated Xiphodracon goldencapensis, or the "sword dragon of Dorset" and represents the sole documented example of its type. The skull of the "blade serpent" displays a huge eye socket and marks that suggest it may have been assaulted by another bigger ichthyosaur Scientists state that marks on its skull indicate the "blade serpent" may have been fatally wounded by a attack to the head, possibly inflicted by a much larger species of ichthyosaur. Initially found by a experienced fossil hunter at Golden Cap in Dorset in 2001, the recently identified ichthyosaur was later obtained by a institution in Canada. Only in recent times been fully analyzed by experts and a research document released classifying it as a previously unknown type of ichthyosaur. "I carefully considered about the name," stated ichthyosaur expert Dr Dean Lomax, who collaborated on the paper classifying the skeleton as a novel type. "The name Xiphodracon means sword-like dragon and that is in reference to that very long, sword-like snout, but also the reality that ichthyosaurs have been called sea dragons for about 200 years." This is what ichthyosaurs may have appeared. The shown species is a shonisaurus which could grow to more than 15 metres long. Ancient Marine Life Ichthyosaurs are classified as marine reptiles, rather than dinosaurs, because they lived entirely in the water. The discovered ichthyosaur is thought to have swum the seas about 185 million years ago, a period from which very few ichthyosaur remains have been discovered. "During this time ichthyosaurs are incredibly rare, and Xiphodracon is the best preserved individual ever found from there, helping to fill a gap," Dr Lomax said. "It's a missing piece of the mystery in ichthyosaur development." Distinctive Features Researchers estimate the creature measured about 3m long and has multiple characteristics that have never been observed in other types of ichthyosaur. Scientists report the most unusual detail is a prong-like bone near its nose opening The skull has an enormous eye socket A long sword-like snout that it used to consume fish and squid Existence and Demise Evidence also exists as to how this specific specimen existed and perished. "Its fins and dental structure are abnormally shaped in such a way that points to serious injury or illness while the animal was still living," said study contributor Dr Erin Maxwell. "The skull appears to have been attacked by a sizeable hunter - likely another considerably bigger type of ichthyosaur - providing a reason for demise for this individual. Life in the Mesozoic oceans was a dangerous situation." Chris Moore found the 'sword dragon' in cliffs at Golden Cap in Dorset following a storm Discovery and Analysis This "sword dragon" was discovered in 2001 by paleontology enthusiast Chris Moore and then obtained by the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada where it required more than 15 years to be fully analyzed. "I don't wish to blow my own ichthyosaur trumpet but I have found a number of them," Mr Moore stated. The actual number he's discovered is somewhere in the region of 15, with several of them, like the "sword dragon", turning out to be previously unknown types. Mr Moore says he is intending to commemorate the new discovery but has yet to decide exactly how the celebration will take. "Champagne or a mug of tea, I'm undecided at this moment," he commented. The 'sword dragon' is among many ichthyosaur fossils that have been found along Dorset's Jurassic Coast dating back to the first discoveries of pioneering palaeontologist Mary Anning in the early 1800s.