🔗 Share this article

A nearly complete skeleton found along the Jurassic Coast has been classified as a new species of ichthyosaur, a variety of ancient marine reptile that once ruled the oceans.

The dolphin-sized ichthyosaur has been designated Xiphodracon goldencapensis, or the "sword dragon of Dorset" and represents the only known example of its kind.

Scientists state that marks on its cranium indicate the "blade serpent" may have been killed by a attack to the head, possibly inflicted 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 later obtained by a institution in Canada.

It has only recently been completely studied by specialists and a paper released classifying it as a previously unknown type of ichthyosaur.

"I carefully considered about the name," said ichthyosaur specialist Dr Dean Lomax, who collaborated on the study identifying the fossil as a novel type.

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

Ancient Marine Life

These creatures are categorized as marine reptiles, not dinosaurs, because they spent their lives in the water. The discovered ichthyosaur is thought to have inhabited the oceans about 185 million years ago, a period from which extremely rare ichthyosaur remains have been found.

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

Unique Characteristics

The "sword dragon" is thought to have been about 3m in length and has multiple characteristics that have not been seen in other species of ichthyosaur.

• Researchers report the most unusual feature is a fork-shaped bone near its nose opening
• The skull has an exceptionally large 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 lived and died.

"The limb bones and teeth are abnormally shaped in such a way that indicates significant trauma or illness while the animal was still living," stated study co-author Dr Erin Maxwell.

"The skull appears to have been bitten by a sizeable hunter - probably another considerably bigger species of ichthyosaur - providing a cause of death for this individual. Life in the Mesozoic oceans was a dangerous situation."

Finding and Study

The specimen was found in 2001 by fossil hunter Chris Moore and then obtained by the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada where it required more than 15 years to be completely studied.

"I don't mean to boast but I have discovered a number of them," Mr Moore stated.

The precise count he's unearthed is approximately 15, with multiple of them, including the "sword dragon", proving to be previously unknown types.

Mr Moore says he is planning to celebrate the recent finding but has yet to decide exactly how the celebration will take.

"Champagne or a mug of tea, I'm not sure which yet," he says.

This remarkable discovery is one of numerous ichthyosaur fossils that have been discovered along Dorset's Jurassic Coast since the first discoveries of pioneering palaeontologist Mary Anning in the early 1800s.