🔗 Share this article

A nearly complete skeleton discovered along the Jurassic Coast has been classified as a previously unknown kind of ichthyosaur, a variety of ancient marine reptile that once dominated the oceans.

The dolphin-sized ichthyosaur has been named Xiphodracon goldencapensis, or the "sword dragon of Dorset" and stands as the sole documented specimen of its kind.

Researchers report that marks on its skull suggest the "sword dragon" may have been killed by a attack to the head, potentially inflicted by a significantly bigger type 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 specialists and a research document published classifying it as a previously unknown type of ichthyosaur.

"I carefully considered about the name," stated ichthyosaur specialist Dr Dean Lomax, who co-authored the study identifying the skeleton as a novel type.

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

Prehistoric Ocean Creatures

Ichthyosaurs are classified as marine reptiles, not 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 discovered.

"In this period 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 development."

Unique Characteristics

Researchers estimate the creature measured about 3m long and has multiple characteristics that have never been observed in other species of ichthyosaur.

• Researchers say the strangest detail is a prong-like bone near its nose opening
• Its head has an enormous eye socket
• An extended sword-like nose that it used to eat fish and squid

Existence and Demise

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

"Its fins and dental structure are abnormally shaped in such a way that indicates serious injury or disease while the animal was still living," said study co-author Dr Erin Maxwell.

"Its head appears to have been attacked by a large predator - probably another considerably bigger type of ichthyosaur - giving us a cause of death for this specimen. Existence in ancient seas was a dangerous prospect."

Finding and Study

This "sword dragon" was discovered in 2001 by paleontology enthusiast Chris Moore and then acquired by the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada where it took more than 15 years to be fully analyzed.

"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 several of them, including the "blade serpent", proving to be new species.

Mr Moore says 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 says.

The 'sword dragon' is among many ichthyosaur fossils that have been discovered along Dorset's Jurassic Coast since the first discoveries of pioneering palaeontologist Mary Anning in the early 1800s.