🔗 Share this article Remains Uncovered on UK Coast Constitutes Unique 'Sword Dragon' Type Sea dragon experts alongside the 185 million year old fossilized remains An almost intact fossilized frame found along the Jurassic Coast has been identified as a new species 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 represents the sole documented example of its type. The skull of the "sword dragon" features a huge eye socket and indications that suggest it may have been assaulted by a different bigger ichthyosaur Scientists report that marks on its cranium indicate the "blade serpent" may have been killed by a attack to the head, possibly inflicted by a significantly bigger type of ichthyosaur. Initially found by a experienced fossil hunter at Golden Cap in Dorset in 2001, the new ichthyosaur was subsequently acquired by a institution in Canada. Only in recent times been fully analyzed by experts and a paper released classifying 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 paper classifying the fossil as a novel type. "Xiphodracon translates to sword-like dragon and that is in reference to that extremely elongated, sword-like nose, but also the fact that ichthyosaurs have been referred to as sea dragons for about 200 years." Here is what ichthyosaurs may have appeared. The shown type is a shonisaurus which could reach more than 15 metres in length. Ancient Marine Life These creatures are categorized as marine reptiles, not dinosaurs, because they lived entirely in the water. The discovered ichthyosaur is thought to have inhabited the oceans about 185 million years ago, a time frame from which very few ichthyosaur fossils have been found. "During this time ichthyosaurs are extremely uncommon, and Xiphodracon is the best preserved individual ever discovered from there, helping to fill a gap," Dr Lomax said. "It's a missing piece of the puzzle in ichthyosaur evolution." Distinctive Features Researchers estimate the creature measured about 3m long and has multiple characteristics that have never been observed in other types of ichthyosaur. Researchers report the most unusual feature is a fork-shaped bone near its nose opening Its head has an enormous eye socket A long sword-like snout that it used to consume fish and squid Life and Death There are also clues as to how this particular specimen lived and died. "Its fins and dental structure are malformed in such a way that points to serious injury or illness while the animal was still alive," stated study contributor Dr Erin Maxwell. "The skull seems to have been attacked by a large predator - likely another much larger type of ichthyosaur - giving us a reason for demise for this specimen. Existence in ancient seas was a dangerous prospect." Chris Moore uncovered the 'sword dragon' in cliffs at Golden Cap in Dorset after a storm Discovery and Analysis 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 completely studied. "I don't wish to blow my own ichthyosaur trumpet but I have found a number of them," Mr Moore said. The precise count he's unearthed is somewhere in the region of 15, with multiple of them, including the "sword dragon", turning out to be new species. The discoverer stated he is planning to celebrate the new discovery but has not yet determined exactly how 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 discovered along Dorset's Jurassic Coast dating back to the first discoveries of trailblazing palaeontologist Mary Anning in the early 1800s.