🔗 Share this article

A nearly complete fossilized frame discovered along Dorset's Jurassic Coast has been identified as a new kind of ichthyosaur, a variety of ancient marine reptile that once dominated the oceans.

This marine creature ichthyosaur has been named Xiphodracon goldencapensis, or the "sword dragon of Dorset" and stands as the sole documented specimen of its kind.

Scientists report 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 obtained by a institution in Canada.

Only in recent times been fully analyzed by specialists and a paper released identifying it as a previously unknown type of ichthyosaur.

"I thought long and hard about the name," stated ichthyosaur specialist Dr Dean Lomax, who collaborated on the study classifying the skeleton as a new species.

"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 called sea dragons for about 200 years."

Prehistoric Ocean Creatures

Ichthyosaurs are classified as marine reptiles, not dinosaurs, because they spent their lives in the water. The discovered ichthyosaur is believed to have inhabited the oceans about 185 million years ago, a time frame from which very few ichthyosaur remains have been found.

"During this time ichthyosaurs are incredibly rare, and Xiphodracon is the most complete individual ever discovered from there, helping to fill a gap," Dr Lomax said. "It's a missing piece of the mystery in ichthyosaur development."

Distinctive Features

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

• Scientists say the strangest feature is a prong-like bone near its nostril
• The skull 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 specimen lived and died.

"The limb bones and teeth are abnormally shaped in such a way that indicates serious injury or illness while the creature was still living," stated study co-author Dr Erin Maxwell.

"The skull seems to have been attacked by a large predator - probably a different considerably bigger species of ichthyosaur - giving us a reason for demise for this specimen. Existence in ancient seas was a dangerous prospect."

Discovery and Analysis

The specimen was found in 2001 by paleontology enthusiast Chris Moore and then obtained by the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada where it required more than 15 years to be completely studied.

"I don't mean to boast but I have discovered a number of them," Mr Moore stated.

The precise count he's discovered is approximately 15, with multiple of them, like the "sword dragon", turning out to be new species.

Mr Moore says he is intending to commemorate the recent finding 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 commented.

The 'sword dragon' is among many ichthyosaur fossils that have been found along Dorset's Jurassic Coast since the initial findings of trailblazing palaeontologist Mary Anning in the beginning of the nineteenth century.