🔗 Share this article Fossil Discovered on UK Shoreline Represents One-of-a-kind 'Sword Dragon' Species Ichthyosaur experts with the 185m year old fossilized remains A nearly complete fossilized frame discovered along the Jurassic Coast has been identified as a new kind of ichthyosaur, a variety of ancient marine reptile that once ruled the oceans. This marine creature ichthyosaur has been named Xiphodracon goldencapensis, or the "blade serpent of Dorset" and stands as the sole documented specimen of its kind. This head of the "blade serpent" displays a massive eye socket and marks that point to it may have been assaulted by another larger ichthyosaur Researchers state that indentations on its skull indicate the "sword dragon" may have been killed by a attack to the head, possibly delivered by a much larger species of ichthyosaur. Initially found by a experienced fossil collector at Golden Cap in Dorset in 2001, the new ichthyosaur was subsequently obtained by a institution in Canada. It has only recently been completely studied by specialists and a research document published identifying it as a new species of ichthyosaur. "I thought long and hard about the name," said ichthyosaur specialist Dr Dean Lomax, who co-authored the study classifying the skeleton as a novel type. "The name Xiphodracon means sword-like dragon and that is in reference to that extremely elongated, sword-like snout, but also the fact that ichthyosaurs have been called sea dragons for about 200 years." Here is what ichthyosaurs may have appeared. This particular species is a shonisaurus which could grow to more than 15 metres in length. Ancient Marine Life Ichthyosaurs are classified as marine reptiles, not dinosaurs, because they lived entirely in the water. The discovered ichthyosaur is believed to have swum the seas about 185 million years ago, a period from which extremely rare ichthyosaur remains have been found. "In this period ichthyosaurs are incredibly rare, and Xiphodracon is the best preserved individual ever discovered from there, contributing to close a gap," Dr Lomax said. "It's a missing piece of the mystery in ichthyosaur evolution." Unique Characteristics Researchers estimate the creature measured about 3m long and has multiple features that have never been observed in other species of ichthyosaur. Scientists say the most unusual feature is a prong-like bone near its nose opening Its head has an enormous eye socket An extended sword-like snout that it used to eat fish and squid Existence and Demise 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 points to serious injury or disease while the creature was still living," stated study co-author Dr Erin Maxwell. "The skull appears to have been bitten by a large predator - likely a different much larger species of ichthyosaur - giving us a cause of death for this specimen. Existence in ancient seas was a dangerous situation." The discoverer found the 'blade serpent' in cliffs at Golden Cap in Dorset after a severe weather event Discovery and Analysis This "sword dragon" was discovered in 2001 by fossil hunter Chris Moore and then acquired by the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada where it required more than 15 years to be fully analyzed. "I don't mean to boast but I have found a number of them," Mr Moore said. The precise count he's unearthed is approximately 15, with several of them, like the "sword dragon", proving to be previously unknown types. The discoverer stated he is planning to celebrate the recent finding but has not yet determined exactly how the celebration will take. "Champagne or a mug of tea, I'm not sure which yet," he says. The 'sword dragon' is among many ichthyosaur fossils that have been found along Dorset's Jurassic Coast dating back to the first discoveries of trailblazing palaeontologist Mary Anning in the beginning of the nineteenth century.