🔗 Share this article

An almost intact skeleton found along the Jurassic Coast has been classified as a new species 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 sole documented example of its type.

Scientists report that indentations on its skull indicate the "sword dragon" may have been killed by a attack to the head, potentially inflicted by a much larger type of ichthyosaur.

First discovered by a prolific fossil collector at Golden Cap in Dorset in 2001, the recently identified ichthyosaur was subsequently acquired by a institution in Canada.

It has only recently been fully analyzed by specialists 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 collaborated on the paper identifying the skeleton as a novel type.

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

Ancient Marine Life

Ichthyosaurs are classified as marine reptiles, not dinosaurs, because they spent their lives in the water. This particular ichthyosaur is believed to have swum the seas about 185 million years ago, a time frame from which extremely rare ichthyosaur fossils have been found.

"In this period ichthyosaurs are extremely uncommon, and Xiphodracon is the best preserved individual ever discovered from there, helping to fill a gap," Dr Lomax stated. "This represents a crucial element of the puzzle in ichthyosaur evolution."

Unique Characteristics

Researchers estimate the creature measured about 3m long and has several characteristics that have not been seen in other types of ichthyosaur.

• Scientists report the most unusual feature is a prong-like bone near its nose opening
• The skull has an enormous eye socket
• A long sword-like snout that it used to eat fish and squid

Existence and Demise

Evidence also exists as to how this specific individual existed and perished.

"The limb bones and teeth are malformed in such a way that points to serious injury or disease while the animal was still alive," stated study co-author Dr Erin Maxwell.

"Its head seems to have been attacked by a large predator - likely another considerably bigger type of ichthyosaur - giving us a cause of death for this specimen. Life in the Mesozoic oceans was a risky prospect."

Finding and Study

This "sword dragon" was discovered in 2001 by fossil hunter Chris Moore and then obtained by the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada where it took more than 15 years to be completely studied.

"I don't wish to blow my own ichthyosaur trumpet but I have discovered a few of them," Mr Moore stated.

The actual number he's unearthed is somewhere in the region of 15, with multiple of them, including the "blade serpent", 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 recognition will take.

"Either sparkling wine or traditional brew, I'm not sure which yet," he commented.

The 'sword dragon' is one of numerous ichthyosaur remains that have been discovered along Dorset's Jurassic Coast dating back to the first discoveries of pioneering palaeontologist Mary Anning in the early 1800s.