🔗 Share this article

A nearly complete skeleton found along Dorset's Jurassic Coast has been identified as a new kind 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 stands as the only known specimen of its kind.

Scientists state that marks on its skull indicate the "sword dragon" may have been killed by a attack to the head, potentially inflicted by a much larger type of ichthyosaur.

First discovered by a prolific fossil hunter at Golden Cap in Dorset in 2001, the new ichthyosaur was later obtained by a museum in Canada.

It has only recently been fully analyzed by specialists and a research document released classifying it as a new species of ichthyosaur.

"I thought long and hard about the name," stated ichthyosaur expert Dr Dean Lomax, who collaborated on the study classifying the fossil as a new species.

"Xiphodracon translates to sword-like dragon and that refers to that extremely elongated, sword-like snout, but also the fact that ichthyosaurs have been called sea dragons for about 200 years."

Ancient Marine Life

These creatures are categorized as marine reptiles, rather than dinosaurs, because they spent their lives in the water. The discovered ichthyosaur is thought to have swum the seas about 185 million years ago, a time frame from which extremely rare ichthyosaur remains have been discovered.

"In this period ichthyosaurs are incredibly rare, and Xiphodracon is the best preserved individual ever discovered from there, helping to fill a gap," Dr Lomax stated. "It's a missing piece of the mystery in ichthyosaur evolution."

Unique Characteristics

Researchers estimate the creature measured about 3m in length and has multiple characteristics that have never been observed in other species of ichthyosaur.

• Scientists report the most unusual feature is a fork-shaped bone near its nostril
• The skull has an enormous eye socket
• An extended sword-like nose that it used to consume fish and squid

Life and Death

Evidence also exists as to how this particular specimen lived and died.

"Its fins and dental structure are malformed in such a way that points to serious injury or illness while the animal was still living," stated study contributor Dr Erin Maxwell.

"Its head appears to have been bitten by a sizeable hunter - probably a different considerably bigger type of ichthyosaur - giving us a cause of death for this individual. Existence in ancient seas was a risky situation."

Discovery and Analysis

The specimen was found 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 wish to blow my own ichthyosaur trumpet but I have discovered a number of them," Mr Moore said.

The precise count he's unearthed is approximately 15, with multiple of them, including the "blade serpent", proving to be new species.

Mr Moore says he is intending to commemorate the recent finding but has not yet determined precisely what form the recognition will take.

"Champagne or a mug of tea, I'm undecided at this moment," he commented.

The 'sword dragon' is one of numerous ichthyosaur remains that have been discovered along Dorset's Jurassic Coast dating back to the first discoveries of pioneering palaeontologist Mary Anning in the beginning of the nineteenth century.