🔗 Share this article Remains Uncovered on UK Coast Constitutes One-of-a-kind 'Sword Dragon' Species Sea dragon experts alongside the 185 million year old skeleton An almost intact fossilized frame discovered along the Jurassic Coast has been identified as a previously unknown kind of ichthyosaur, a type of prehistoric marine reptile that once dominated the oceans. This marine creature ichthyosaur has been named Xiphodracon goldencapensis, or the "blade serpent of Dorset" and represents the sole documented example of its type. The skull of the "sword dragon" features a massive eye socket and marks that suggest it may have been assaulted by a different bigger ichthyosaur Scientists report that marks on its cranium indicate the "sword dragon" may have been fatally wounded by a attack to the head, potentially inflicted by a significantly bigger species of ichthyosaur. First discovered by a experienced fossil hunter at Golden Cap in Dorset in 2001, the recently identified ichthyosaur was later obtained by a museum in Canada. It has only recently 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," said ichthyosaur specialist Dr Dean Lomax, who co-authored the paper classifying the fossil as a novel type. "Xiphodracon translates to sword-like dragon and that is in reference to that very long, sword-like snout, but also the reality that ichthyosaurs have been referred to as sea dragons for about 200 years." This is what ichthyosaurs may have appeared. This particular type is a shonisaurus which could reach more than 15 metres in length. Ancient Marine Life Ichthyosaurs are classified as marine reptiles, not dinosaurs, because they lived entirely in the water. The discovered ichthyosaur is thought to have inhabited the oceans about 185 million years ago, a time frame from which very few ichthyosaur remains have been discovered. "In this period ichthyosaurs are extremely uncommon, 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 puzzle in ichthyosaur development." Distinctive Features The "sword dragon" is thought to have been about 3m long and has several features that have not been seen in other species of ichthyosaur. Researchers report the strangest detail is a prong-like bone near its nostril The skull has an exceptionally large eye socket A long sword-like snout that it used to eat fish and squid Existence and Demise Evidence also exists as to how this specific specimen existed and perished. "Its fins and dental structure are malformed in such a way that indicates significant trauma or disease while the creature was still living," said study co-author Dr Erin Maxwell. "The skull appears to have been bitten by a sizeable hunter - probably another considerably bigger species of ichthyosaur - giving us a cause of death for this individual. Existence in ancient seas was a risky situation." The discoverer found the 'blade serpent' in cliffs at Golden Cap in Dorset after a storm Discovery and Analysis The specimen was found in 2001 by fossil hunter Chris Moore and then acquired by the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada where it took more than 15 years to be fully analyzed. "I don't mean to boast but I have discovered a number of them," Mr Moore said. The actual number he's discovered is approximately 15, with several of them, like the "blade serpent", proving to be new species. Mr Moore says he is planning to celebrate the recent finding but has not yet determined exactly how the celebration will take. "Either sparkling wine or traditional brew, I'm not sure which yet," he commented. The 'sword dragon' is one of numerous ichthyosaur fossils that have been found along Dorset's Jurassic Coast since the first discoveries of trailblazing palaeontologist Mary Anning in the early 1800s.