🔗 Share this article Remains Discovered on UK Shoreline Represents Unique 'Sword Dragon' Species Sea dragon specialists alongside the 185m year old skeleton 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 named Xiphodracon goldencapensis, or the "blade serpent of Dorset" and represents the sole documented specimen of its type. This head of the "blade serpent" features a huge eye socket and indications that point to it may have been assaulted by another larger ichthyosaur Researchers report that marks on its cranium indicate the "sword dragon" may have been fatally wounded by a attack to the head, potentially delivered by a significantly bigger species of ichthyosaur. Initially found by a prolific fossil hunter at Golden Cap in Dorset in 2001, the recently identified ichthyosaur was subsequently acquired by a museum in Canada. It has only recently been fully analyzed by experts and a research document published identifying it as a previously unknown type of ichthyosaur. "I thought long and hard about the name," said ichthyosaur expert Dr Dean Lomax, who collaborated on the paper classifying the skeleton as a novel type. "The name Xiphodracon means sword-like dragon and that is in reference to that extremely elongated, sword-like snout, but also the fact that ichthyosaurs have been referred to as sea dragons for about 200 years." Here is what ichthyosaurs may have appeared. The shown type is a shonisaurus which could grow to more than 15 metres in length. Ancient Marine Life Ichthyosaurs are classified as marine reptiles, not dinosaurs, because they lived entirely in the water. This particular ichthyosaur is believed to have swum the seas about 185 million years ago, a time frame from which very few ichthyosaur fossils have been discovered. "During this time ichthyosaurs are incredibly rare, and Xiphodracon is the best preserved individual ever discovered from there, helping to fill a gap," Dr Lomax said. "It's a missing piece of the puzzle in ichthyosaur evolution." Distinctive Features The "sword dragon" is thought to have been about 3m in length and has multiple features that have never been observed in other species of ichthyosaur. Researchers say the strangest feature is a prong-like bone near its nose opening Its head has an enormous eye socket A long sword-like snout that it used to consume fish and squid Life and Death There are also clues as to how this particular individual existed and perished. "The limb bones and teeth are abnormally shaped in such a way that indicates serious injury or illness while the creature was still alive," stated study contributor Dr Erin Maxwell. "The skull appears to have been attacked by a large predator - likely another much larger type of ichthyosaur - providing a reason for demise for this individual. Existence in ancient seas was a dangerous prospect." Chris Moore uncovered the 'blade serpent' in rock formations at Golden Cap in Dorset after a severe weather event Finding and Study 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 fully analyzed. "I don't mean to boast but I have found a number of them," Mr Moore stated. The precise count he's unearthed is approximately 15, with multiple of them, including the "blade serpent", proving to be new species. The discoverer stated he is intending to commemorate the new discovery but has yet to decide exactly how the celebration will take. "Either sparkling wine or traditional brew, I'm undecided at this moment," he says. This remarkable discovery is one of numerous 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.