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An almost intact skeleton discovered along the Jurassic Coast has been classified as a new species of ichthyosaur, a type of prehistoric marine reptile that once dominated the oceans.

This marine creature ichthyosaur has been designated Xiphodracon goldencapensis, or the "sword dragon of Dorset" and stands as the sole documented specimen of its type.

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

Initially found by a prolific fossil collector at Golden Cap in Dorset in 2001, the recently identified ichthyosaur was later acquired by a institution in Canada.

Only in recent times been completely studied 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 study classifying the skeleton as a new species.

"Xiphodracon translates to sword-like dragon and that is in reference to that very long, sword-like snout, but also the reality that ichthyosaurs have been referred to as sea dragons for about 200 years."

Ancient Marine Life

These creatures are categorized as marine reptiles, rather than dinosaurs, because they spent their lives in the water. This particular ichthyosaur is believed to have swum the seas about 185 million years ago, a period from which extremely rare ichthyosaur fossils have been discovered.

"During this time ichthyosaurs are incredibly rare, and Xiphodracon is the most complete individual ever discovered from there, contributing to close a gap," Dr Lomax stated. "This represents a crucial element of the puzzle in ichthyosaur evolution."

Distinctive Features

The "sword dragon" is thought to have been about 3m long and has multiple features that have never been observed in other types of ichthyosaur.

• Researchers report the most unusual feature is a fork-shaped bone near its nostril
• Its head has an exceptionally large eye socket
• An extended sword-like snout that it used to consume fish and squid

Existence and Demise

There are also clues as to how this particular individual existed and perished.

"Its fins and dental structure are malformed in such a way that indicates significant trauma or illness while the creature was still alive," stated study co-author Dr Erin Maxwell.

"The skull appears to have been bitten by a large predator - probably another much larger type of ichthyosaur - giving us a reason for demise for this specimen. Life in the Mesozoic oceans was a risky prospect."

Discovery and Analysis

This "sword dragon" was discovered 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 fully analyzed.

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

The precise count he's discovered is approximately 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 exactly how the recognition will take.

"Champagne or a mug of tea, I'm undecided at this moment," he commented.

This remarkable discovery is among many ichthyosaur fossils that have been found along Dorset's Jurassic Coast since the initial findings of trailblazing palaeontologist Mary Anning in the early 1800s.