Remains Uncovered on British Shoreline Constitutes One-of-a-kind 'Sword Dragon' Type

A nearly complete fossilized frame discovered along Dorset's Jurassic Coast has been classified as a previously unknown species of ichthyosaur, a variety of ancient marine reptile that once ruled the oceans.

The dolphin-sized ichthyosaur has been designated Xiphodracon goldencapensis, or the "sword dragon of Dorset" and represents the sole documented specimen of its type.

Researchers state that marks on its cranium suggest the "sword dragon" may have been fatally wounded by a bite to the head, possibly delivered by a much larger species of ichthyosaur.

First discovered by a experienced fossil collector at Golden Cap in Dorset in 2001, the new ichthyosaur was subsequently obtained by a institution in Canada.

It has only recently been completely studied by experts and a paper 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 paper classifying the skeleton as a novel type.

"The name Xiphodracon means sword-like dragon and that refers to that very long, sword-like snout, but also the reality that ichthyosaurs have been referred to as sea dragons for about 200 years."

Prehistoric Ocean Creatures

Ichthyosaurs are classified as marine reptiles, not dinosaurs, because they lived entirely 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 remains have been found.

"In this period ichthyosaurs are extremely uncommon, and Xiphodracon is the best preserved individual ever discovered from there, contributing to close a gap," Dr Lomax stated. "It's a missing piece of the puzzle in ichthyosaur development."

Unique Characteristics

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

• Researchers report the strangest feature is a prong-like bone near its nostril
• Its head has an exceptionally large eye socket
• A long sword-like nose that it used to eat fish and squid

Life and Death

Evidence also exists as to how this specific individual lived and died.

"The limb bones and teeth are malformed in such a way that points to serious injury or disease while the animal was still living," stated study co-author Dr Erin Maxwell.

"Its head seems to have been bitten by a sizeable hunter - probably a different considerably bigger type of ichthyosaur - providing a cause of death for this specimen. Existence in ancient seas was a dangerous situation."

Finding and Study

This "sword dragon" was discovered in 2001 by fossil hunter Chris Moore and then obtained by the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada where it required more than 15 years to be fully analyzed.

"I don't wish to blow my own ichthyosaur trumpet but I have discovered a few of them," Mr Moore stated.

The precise count he's unearthed is somewhere in the region of 15, with multiple of them, including the "blade serpent", turning out to be previously unknown types.

Mr Moore says he is intending to commemorate the new discovery but has yet to decide precisely what form the celebration will take.

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

The 'sword dragon' is one of numerous ichthyosaur fossils that have been found along Dorset's Jurassic Coast dating back to the initial findings of pioneering palaeontologist Mary Anning in the beginning of the nineteenth century.