🔗 Share this article Fossil Uncovered on British Coast Constitutes Unique 'Sword Dragon' Type Sea dragon experts alongside the 185 million year old skeleton A nearly complete fossilized frame discovered along the Jurassic Coast has been identified as a new kind of ichthyosaur, a variety of ancient marine reptile that once ruled the oceans. The dolphin-sized ichthyosaur has been designated Xiphodracon goldencapensis, or the "blade serpent of Dorset" and represents the sole documented specimen of its type. The skull of the "blade serpent" displays a massive eye socket and marks that point to it may have been attacked by a different bigger ichthyosaur Researchers state that marks on its cranium suggest the "sword dragon" may have been killed by a attack to the head, possibly inflicted by a much larger species of ichthyosaur. First discovered by a experienced fossil collector at Golden Cap in Dorset in 2001, the recently identified ichthyosaur was later obtained by a museum in Canada. It has only recently been completely studied by experts and a research document released classifying it as a previously unknown type of ichthyosaur. "I carefully considered about the name," said ichthyosaur expert Dr Dean Lomax, who co-authored the study classifying the fossil as a novel type. "The name Xiphodracon means sword-like dragon and that refers to that very long, sword-like nose, 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 reach more than 15 metres long. Prehistoric Ocean Creatures 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 very few ichthyosaur fossils have been discovered. "In this period ichthyosaurs are extremely uncommon, and Xiphodracon is the most complete individual ever found 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 long and has several features that have never been observed in other species of ichthyosaur. Researchers say the strangest feature is a fork-shaped bone near its nostril Its head has an exceptionally large 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 lived and died. "The limb bones and teeth are abnormally shaped in such a way that points to significant trauma or illness while the animal was still living," said study co-author Dr Erin Maxwell. "The skull seems to have been attacked by a sizeable hunter - likely another considerably bigger type of ichthyosaur - giving us a reason for demise for this specimen. Existence in ancient seas was a dangerous prospect." The discoverer uncovered the 'sword dragon' in rock formations at Golden Cap in Dorset following a storm Discovery and Analysis This "sword dragon" was discovered in 2001 by fossil hunter Chris Moore and then obtained by the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada where it took more than 15 years to be completely studied. "I don't wish to blow my own ichthyosaur trumpet but I have discovered a few of them," Mr Moore said. The precise count he's discovered is somewhere in the region of 15, with multiple of them, including 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 exactly how the recognition will take. "Either sparkling wine or traditional brew, I'm undecided at this moment," he says. The 'sword dragon' is among many ichthyosaur remains that have been found along Dorset's Jurassic Coast dating back to the initial findings of pioneering palaeontologist Mary Anning in the early 1800s.