🔗 Share this article Fossil Uncovered on British Coast Constitutes Unique 'Sword Dragon' Species Sea dragon specialists with the 185 million year old fossilized remains A nearly complete fossilized frame discovered along Dorset's Jurassic Coast has been identified as a previously unknown species of ichthyosaur, a variety of ancient marine reptile that once dominated the oceans. The dolphin-sized ichthyosaur has been designated Xiphodracon goldencapensis, or the "sword dragon of Dorset" and stands as the sole documented example of its type. This head of the "blade serpent" features a massive eye socket and indications that point to it may have been assaulted by another bigger ichthyosaur Researchers report that indentations on its cranium suggest the "blade serpent" may have been fatally wounded by a attack to the head, potentially delivered by a significantly bigger species of ichthyosaur. First discovered by a experienced fossil hunter at Golden Cap in Dorset in 2001, the recently identified ichthyosaur was later obtained by a museum in Canada. Only in recent times been fully analyzed by specialists and a research document published classifying it as a previously unknown type of ichthyosaur. "I carefully considered about the name," stated 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 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. The shown type is a shonisaurus which could grow to more than 15 metres in length. Ancient Marine Life 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 period from which very few ichthyosaur fossils have been discovered. "In this period 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 mystery in ichthyosaur development." Distinctive Features The "sword dragon" is thought to have been about 3m in length and has several characteristics that have not been seen in other species of ichthyosaur. Scientists report the strangest 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 eat fish and squid Existence and Demise Evidence also exists as to how this particular 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 alive," stated study co-author Dr Erin Maxwell. "The skull appears to have been bitten by a sizeable hunter - probably a different much larger species of ichthyosaur - giving us a reason for demise for this specimen. Existence in ancient seas was a dangerous prospect." Chris Moore uncovered the 'blade serpent' in cliffs at Golden Cap in Dorset after a storm Discovery and Analysis The specimen was found in 2001 by fossil hunter Chris Moore and then acquired by the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada where it took more than 15 years to be fully analyzed. "I don't wish to blow my own ichthyosaur trumpet but I have discovered a number of them," Mr Moore said. The actual number he's discovered is approximately 15, with several of them, like the "blade serpent", proving to be new species. Mr Moore says he is planning to celebrate the new discovery but has yet to decide precisely what form the recognition will take. "Champagne or a mug of tea, I'm not sure which yet," he commented. The 'sword dragon' is one of numerous ichthyosaur fossils that have been discovered along Dorset's Jurassic Coast since the first discoveries of trailblazing palaeontologist Mary Anning in the beginning of the nineteenth century.