🔗 Share this article Remains Uncovered on British Shoreline Constitutes One-of-a-kind 'Sword Dragon' Species Sea dragon experts with the 185 million year old skeleton An almost intact skeleton discovered along the Jurassic Coast has been classified as a new species of ichthyosaur, a variety of ancient 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. This head of the "sword dragon" features a huge eye socket and indications 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 killed by a bite to the head, possibly delivered by a much larger type 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 institution in Canada. It has only recently been completely studied by specialists and a paper 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 co-authored the paper classifying the skeleton as a novel type. "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." This is what ichthyosaurs may have looked like. This particular species is a shonisaurus which could grow to more than 15 metres long. Prehistoric Ocean Creatures Ichthyosaurs are classified as marine reptiles, rather than dinosaurs, because they lived entirely in the water. This particular ichthyosaur is thought to have inhabited the oceans about 185 million years ago, a period from which extremely rare ichthyosaur fossils have been found. "During this time ichthyosaurs are incredibly rare, and Xiphodracon is the most complete individual ever discovered from there, helping to fill a gap," Dr Lomax stated. "This represents a crucial element of the puzzle in ichthyosaur development." Distinctive Features Researchers estimate the creature measured about 3m in length and has multiple features that have not been seen in other types of ichthyosaur. Scientists report the most unusual detail is a fork-shaped bone near its nose opening Its head has an exceptionally large eye socket An extended sword-like snout that it used to consume fish and squid Life and Death Evidence also exists as to how this particular specimen existed and perished. "The limb bones and teeth 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. "The skull seems to have been bitten by a sizeable hunter - likely a different much larger type of ichthyosaur - giving us a reason for demise for this specimen. Existence in ancient seas was a dangerous prospect." The discoverer found the 'sword dragon' in cliffs at Golden Cap in Dorset following a severe weather event Discovery and Analysis The specimen was found in 2001 by fossil hunter 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 stated. The precise count he's unearthed is approximately 15, with several of them, like the "sword dragon", proving to be previously unknown types. The discoverer stated he is intending to commemorate the new discovery but has not yet determined exactly how the recognition will take. "Champagne or a mug of tea, I'm undecided at this moment," he commented. The 'sword dragon' is among many ichthyosaur fossils that have been discovered along Dorset's Jurassic Coast dating back to the initial findings of trailblazing palaeontologist Mary Anning in the beginning of the nineteenth century.