🔗 Share this article Fossil Discovered on British Shoreline Represents One-of-a-kind 'Sword Dragon' Species Ichthyosaur experts alongside the 185m year old fossilized remains A nearly complete fossilized frame found 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 "blade serpent of Dorset" and stands as the only known example of its kind. The skull of the "blade serpent" features a huge eye socket and indications that suggest it may have been assaulted by a different larger ichthyosaur Researchers state that indentations on its skull suggest the "blade serpent" may have been killed by a attack to the head, potentially delivered by a much larger species of ichthyosaur. Initially found by a prolific fossil collector at Golden Cap in Dorset in 2001, the new ichthyosaur was subsequently acquired by a museum in Canada. Only in recent times 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 expert Dr Dean Lomax, who co-authored the paper identifying the fossil 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 reality that ichthyosaurs have been referred to as sea dragons for about 200 years." Here is what ichthyosaurs may have looked like. This particular type is a shonisaurus which could grow to more than 15 metres long. Prehistoric Ocean Creatures These creatures are categorized as marine reptiles, rather than dinosaurs, because they spent their lives in the water. This particular ichthyosaur is believed to have inhabited the oceans about 185 million years ago, a period from which very few ichthyosaur remains have been found. "During this time ichthyosaurs are incredibly rare, and Xiphodracon is the best preserved individual ever found from there, helping to fill a gap," Dr Lomax stated. "It's a missing piece of the mystery in ichthyosaur development." Unique Characteristics Researchers estimate the creature measured about 3m in length and has multiple features that have not been seen in other species of ichthyosaur. Scientists say the most unusual 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 Life and Death Evidence also exists as to how this particular specimen existed and perished. "Its fins and dental structure are abnormally shaped in such a way that points to serious injury or illness while the creature was still alive," said study co-author Dr Erin Maxwell. "Its head seems to have been bitten by a large predator - probably another much larger type of ichthyosaur - giving us a cause of death for this individual. Existence in ancient seas was a dangerous situation." The discoverer found the 'sword dragon' in rock formations at Golden Cap in Dorset following a storm Finding and Study This "sword dragon" was discovered in 2001 by paleontology enthusiast 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 wish to blow my own ichthyosaur trumpet but I have discovered a number 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 recent finding but has yet to decide exactly how the celebration will take. "Champagne or a mug of tea, I'm undecided at this moment," he commented. The 'sword dragon' is one of numerous ichthyosaur fossils that have been found along Dorset's Jurassic Coast since the initial findings of pioneering palaeontologist Mary Anning in the beginning of the nineteenth century.