🔗 Share this article Fossil Uncovered on UK Shoreline Represents Unique 'Sword Dragon' Type Sea dragon specialists with the 185m year old fossilized remains A nearly complete fossilized frame discovered along the Jurassic Coast has been identified as a new species of ichthyosaur, a type of ancient marine reptile that once dominated the oceans. The dolphin-sized ichthyosaur has been named Xiphodracon goldencapensis, or the "blade serpent of Dorset" and stands as the only known example of its kind. This head of the "sword dragon" displays a massive eye socket and indications that point to it may have been attacked by a different bigger ichthyosaur Researchers state that marks on its cranium indicate the "sword dragon" may have been killed by a attack to the head, potentially inflicted by a significantly bigger species of ichthyosaur. First discovered by a prolific fossil collector at Golden Cap in Dorset in 2001, the new 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 co-authored the study identifying the skeleton as a novel type. "Xiphodracon translates to sword-like dragon and that refers to that very long, sword-like nose, but also the reality that ichthyosaurs have been called sea dragons for about 200 years." This is what ichthyosaurs may have appeared. This particular type is a shonisaurus which could grow to more than 15 metres in length. Prehistoric Ocean Creatures Ichthyosaurs are classified as marine reptiles, not dinosaurs, because they spent their lives in the water. The discovered ichthyosaur is thought to have swum the seas about 185 million years ago, a time frame from which very few ichthyosaur fossils have been found. "In this period ichthyosaurs are extremely uncommon, and Xiphodracon is the most complete individual ever discovered from there, contributing to close a gap," Dr Lomax stated. "It's a missing piece of the mystery in ichthyosaur evolution." Distinctive Features The "sword dragon" is thought to have been about 3m in length and has several characteristics that have never been observed in other types of ichthyosaur. Scientists report the most unusual feature is a fork-shaped bone near its nose opening Its head has an exceptionally large eye socket An extended sword-like nose that it used to eat fish and squid Existence and Demise Evidence also exists as to how this particular individual existed and perished. "Its fins and dental structure are malformed in such a way that points to significant trauma or disease while the creature was still alive," said study contributor Dr Erin Maxwell. "Its head appears to have been bitten by a large predator - likely another much larger type of ichthyosaur - giving us a cause of death for this specimen. Life in the Mesozoic oceans was a dangerous prospect." Chris Moore uncovered the 'blade serpent' in rock formations at Golden Cap in Dorset following a storm Discovery and Analysis The specimen was found in 2001 by paleontology enthusiast Chris Moore and then acquired by the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada where it required more than 15 years to be completely studied. "I don't wish to blow my own ichthyosaur trumpet but I have discovered a number of them," Mr Moore stated. The actual number he's unearthed is approximately 15, with several of them, including the "sword dragon", proving to be previously unknown types. The discoverer stated he is planning to celebrate the new discovery but has not yet determined precisely what form the recognition will take. "Champagne or a mug of tea, I'm undecided at this moment," he says. The 'sword dragon' is one of numerous ichthyosaur fossils that have been found along Dorset's Jurassic Coast since the initial findings of trailblazing palaeontologist Mary Anning in the early 1800s.