🔗 Share this article Fossil Discovered on UK Coast Represents One-of-a-kind 'Sword Dragon' Type Ichthyosaur experts alongside the 185 million year old fossilized remains An almost intact skeleton discovered along Dorset's Jurassic Coast has been identified as a previously unknown 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 represents the sole documented example of its type. This head of the "sword dragon" features a huge eye socket and marks that point to it may have been assaulted by another bigger ichthyosaur Researchers state that indentations on its cranium suggest the "sword dragon" may have been fatally wounded by a attack to the head, possibly delivered 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 subsequently obtained by a museum in Canada. It has only recently been completely studied by experts and a research document published classifying it as a new species of ichthyosaur. "I thought long and hard about the name," stated ichthyosaur specialist Dr Dean Lomax, who collaborated on the study classifying the skeleton as a novel type. "Xiphodracon translates to sword-like dragon and that refers to that very long, sword-like snout, but also the reality that ichthyosaurs have been called sea dragons for about 200 years." Here is what ichthyosaurs may have appeared. This particular type is a shonisaurus which could grow to more than 15 metres long. Ancient Marine Life These creatures are categorized as marine reptiles, not dinosaurs, because they lived entirely in the water. This particular ichthyosaur is believed to have inhabited the oceans about 185 million years ago, a time frame from which very few ichthyosaur fossils have been found. "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. "This represents a crucial element of the mystery in ichthyosaur evolution." Unique Characteristics The "sword dragon" is thought to have been about 3m in length and has several features that have not been seen in other types of ichthyosaur. Researchers report the most unusual feature is a prong-like bone near its nostril Its head has an enormous eye socket An extended sword-like snout that it used to eat 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 significant trauma or illness while the animal was still living," stated study contributor Dr Erin Maxwell. "Its head appears to have been bitten by a large predator - likely another considerably bigger species of ichthyosaur - providing a cause of death for this specimen. Life in the Mesozoic oceans was a dangerous situation." The discoverer found the 'blade serpent' in rock formations at Golden Cap in Dorset after a storm Discovery and Analysis This "sword dragon" was discovered 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 completely studied. "I don't mean to boast but I have discovered a few of them," Mr Moore stated. The precise count he's unearthed is somewhere in the region of 15, with multiple of them, like the "sword dragon", proving to be previously unknown types. The discoverer stated he is planning to celebrate the new discovery but has not yet determined exactly how the celebration will take. "Either sparkling wine or traditional brew, I'm undecided at this moment," he says. This remarkable discovery is among many ichthyosaur fossils that have been found along Dorset's Jurassic Coast dating back to the initial findings of pioneering palaeontologist Mary Anning in the early 1800s.