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A nearly complete skeleton discovered along the Jurassic Coast has been identified as a previously unknown species of ichthyosaur, a type of ancient marine reptile that once dominated the oceans.

This marine creature ichthyosaur has been designated Xiphodracon goldencapensis, or the "blade serpent of Dorset" and stands as the sole documented example of its kind.

Scientists state that indentations on its skull indicate the "sword dragon" may have been fatally wounded by a attack to the head, potentially inflicted by a significantly bigger type of ichthyosaur.

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

It has only recently been completely studied by specialists 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 collaborated on 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."

Ancient Marine Life

Ichthyosaurs are classified as marine reptiles, not 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 remains 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 said. "It's a missing piece of the mystery in ichthyosaur development."

Distinctive Features

Researchers estimate the creature measured about 3m long and has multiple characteristics that have not been seen in other types of ichthyosaur.

• Scientists say the most unusual feature is a prong-like bone near its nose opening
• Its head has an enormous eye socket
• A long sword-like nose that it used to consume fish and squid

Life and Death

There are also clues as to how this specific specimen existed and perished.

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

"The skull appears to have been bitten by a large predator - probably a different considerably bigger species of ichthyosaur - giving us a reason for demise for this individual. Life in the Mesozoic oceans was a risky situation."

Finding and Study

The specimen was found in 2001 by fossil hunter Chris Moore and then obtained 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 few of them," Mr Moore stated.

The precise count he's unearthed is approximately 15, with multiple of them, including the "sword dragon", turning out to be previously unknown types.

The discoverer stated he is intending to commemorate the new discovery but has yet to decide exactly how the celebration will take.

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

This remarkable discovery is one of numerous ichthyosaur remains that have been found along Dorset's Jurassic Coast since the first discoveries of pioneering palaeontologist Mary Anning in the beginning of the nineteenth century.