🔗 Share this article

An almost intact skeleton found 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 designated Xiphodracon goldencapensis, or the "blade serpent of Dorset" and stands as the sole documented specimen of its type.

Researchers report that marks on its cranium suggest the "sword dragon" may have been killed by a attack to the head, possibly inflicted by a significantly bigger type of ichthyosaur.

Initially found by a experienced fossil collector at Golden Cap in Dorset in 2001, the recently identified ichthyosaur was subsequently obtained by a museum in Canada.

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

"I thought long and hard about the name," said ichthyosaur expert Dr Dean Lomax, who co-authored the study identifying the fossil as a new species.

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

Prehistoric Ocean Creatures

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 fossils have been discovered.

"During this time ichthyosaurs are extremely uncommon, and Xiphodracon is the most complete individual ever discovered from there, contributing to close a gap," Dr Lomax said. "This represents a crucial element of the mystery in ichthyosaur evolution."

Distinctive Features

Researchers estimate the creature measured about 3m long and has multiple characteristics that have not been seen in other types of ichthyosaur.

• Researchers report the most unusual feature is a fork-shaped bone near its nose opening
• Its head has an enormous eye socket
• An extended sword-like snout that it used to eat fish and squid

Existence and Demise

There are also clues as to how this particular individual existed and perished.

"The limb bones and teeth 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.

"Its head appears to have been bitten by a large predator - likely a different much larger species of ichthyosaur - providing a cause of death for this individual. Life in the Mesozoic oceans was a risky prospect."

Finding and Study

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 found a number of them," Mr Moore said.

The actual number he's discovered is somewhere in the region of 15, with multiple of them, like the "sword dragon", proving to be new species.

The discoverer stated he is intending to commemorate the recent finding but has yet to decide precisely what form the celebration will take.

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

This remarkable discovery is among many ichthyosaur fossils that have been found along Dorset's Jurassic Coast dating back to the initial findings of trailblazing palaeontologist Mary Anning in the early 1800s.