🔗 Share this article Fossil Uncovered on UK Shoreline Constitutes One-of-a-kind 'Sword Dragon' Type Ichthyosaur specialists with the 185 million year old fossilized remains A nearly complete fossilized frame discovered along the Jurassic Coast has been identified as a new species of ichthyosaur, a variety of ancient marine reptile that once dominated the oceans. This marine creature ichthyosaur has been named Xiphodracon goldencapensis, or the "blade serpent of Dorset" and represents the only known specimen of its kind. This head of the "sword dragon" displays a huge eye socket and marks that point to it may have been assaulted by another larger ichthyosaur Scientists state that indentations on its cranium suggest the "blade serpent" may have been fatally wounded by a attack to the head, potentially inflicted by a significantly bigger type of ichthyosaur. Initially found by a experienced fossil collector at Golden Cap in Dorset in 2001, the new ichthyosaur was later acquired by a institution in Canada. Only in recent times been completely studied by specialists and a research document released classifying it as a previously unknown type 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. "Xiphodracon translates to 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 reach more than 15 metres in length. Prehistoric Ocean Creatures Ichthyosaurs are classified as marine reptiles, rather than dinosaurs, because they spent their lives in the water. The discovered ichthyosaur is thought to have swum the seas 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 found from there, helping to fill a gap," Dr Lomax stated. "It's a missing piece of the puzzle in ichthyosaur development." Distinctive Features The "sword dragon" is thought to have been about 3m in length and has several characteristics that have never been observed in other types of ichthyosaur. Scientists say the most unusual feature is a fork-shaped bone near its nose opening The skull has an enormous eye socket A long sword-like nose that it used to consume fish and squid Existence and Demise There are also clues as to how this particular individual existed and perished. "The limb bones and teeth are malformed in such a way that indicates significant trauma or disease while the creature was still alive," said study co-author Dr Erin Maxwell. "Its head appears to have been attacked by a sizeable hunter - likely another much larger type of ichthyosaur - providing a cause of death for this individual. Existence in ancient seas was a dangerous situation." Chris Moore found the 'blade serpent' in rock formations at Golden Cap in Dorset after a severe weather event Discovery and Analysis The specimen was found in 2001 by paleontology enthusiast Chris Moore and then acquired 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 stated. The actual number he's unearthed is somewhere in the region of 15, with multiple of them, like the "sword dragon", proving to be new species. Mr Moore says he is planning to celebrate the recent finding but has not yet determined precisely what form 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 remains that have been discovered along Dorset's Jurassic Coast dating back to the initial findings of pioneering palaeontologist Mary Anning in the beginning of the nineteenth century.