🔗 Share this article

An almost intact fossilized frame found along Dorset's Jurassic Coast has been classified as a new species of ichthyosaur, a type of prehistoric marine reptile that once dominated the oceans.

The dolphin-sized ichthyosaur has been named Xiphodracon goldencapensis, or the "sword dragon of Dorset" and stands as the only known specimen of its kind.

Researchers state that marks on its cranium indicate the "blade serpent" may have been fatally wounded by a bite to the head, potentially inflicted by a much larger type of ichthyosaur.

Initially found by a experienced fossil hunter at Golden Cap in Dorset in 2001, the recently identified ichthyosaur was later obtained by a museum in Canada.

It has only recently been fully analyzed by experts and a paper released identifying it as a previously unknown type of ichthyosaur.

"I thought long and hard about the name," said ichthyosaur specialist Dr Dean Lomax, who collaborated on the paper classifying the skeleton as a novel type.

"Xiphodracon translates to sword-like dragon and that refers to that very long, sword-like nose, but also the fact that ichthyosaurs have been called sea dragons for about 200 years."

Ancient Marine Life

These creatures are categorized as marine reptiles, rather than dinosaurs, because they lived entirely in the water. The discovered ichthyosaur is thought to have inhabited the oceans about 185 million years ago, a period from which very few ichthyosaur remains have been discovered.

"During this time ichthyosaurs are incredibly rare, and Xiphodracon is the best preserved individual ever found from there, contributing to close a gap," Dr Lomax said. "It's a missing piece of the mystery in ichthyosaur development."

Unique Characteristics

Researchers estimate the creature measured about 3m long and has multiple features that have never been observed in other types of ichthyosaur.

• Researchers say the strangest feature is a fork-shaped bone near its nostril
• Its head has an exceptionally large eye socket
• A long sword-like snout that it used to consume fish and squid

Existence and Demise

There are also clues as to how this specific specimen lived and died.

"The limb bones and teeth are abnormally shaped in such a way that points to significant trauma or illness while the animal was still living," said study contributor Dr Erin Maxwell.

"Its head seems to have been bitten by a large predator - probably another considerably bigger type of ichthyosaur - giving us a reason for demise for this individual. Life in the Mesozoic oceans was a dangerous prospect."

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 few of them," Mr Moore said.

The precise count he's discovered is somewhere in the region of 15, with several of them, like the "blade serpent", proving to be previously unknown types.

The discoverer stated he is intending to commemorate the new discovery but has not yet determined exactly how the celebration will take.

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

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