đź”— Share this article Fossil Uncovered on UK Coast Constitutes One-of-a-kind 'Sword Dragon' Species Sea dragon specialists with the 185m year old skeleton An almost intact fossilized frame discovered along Dorset's Jurassic Coast has been identified as a previously unknown species of ichthyosaur, a type of ancient marine reptile that once ruled the oceans. This marine creature ichthyosaur has been designated Xiphodracon goldencapensis, or the "blade serpent of Dorset" and represents the sole documented specimen of its kind. This head of the "sword dragon" features a huge eye socket and indications that point to it may have been assaulted by a different bigger ichthyosaur Researchers state that indentations on its cranium indicate the "blade serpent" may have been fatally wounded by a attack to the head, potentially inflicted by a significantly bigger type of ichthyosaur. Initially found by a experienced fossil hunter at Golden Cap in Dorset in 2001, the new ichthyosaur was subsequently obtained by a museum in Canada. It has only recently been fully analyzed by specialists and a paper released identifying it as a previously unknown type of ichthyosaur. "I thought long and hard about the name," stated ichthyosaur expert Dr Dean Lomax, who co-authored the paper identifying the fossil as a new species. "The name Xiphodracon means sword-like dragon and that refers to that extremely elongated, sword-like snout, but also the fact that ichthyosaurs have been referred to as sea dragons for about 200 years." This is what ichthyosaurs may have appeared. The shown species is a shonisaurus which could grow to more than 15 metres long. Prehistoric Ocean Creatures Ichthyosaurs are classified as marine reptiles, rather than dinosaurs, because they spent their lives in the water. This particular ichthyosaur is thought to have inhabited the oceans about 185 million years ago, a time frame from which extremely rare ichthyosaur fossils have been found. "In this period ichthyosaurs are extremely uncommon, 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 mystery in ichthyosaur evolution." Distinctive Features Researchers estimate the creature measured about 3m long and has several characteristics that have never been observed in other species of ichthyosaur. Scientists say the strangest detail is a fork-shaped bone near its nose opening Its head has an enormous eye socket An extended sword-like snout that it used to eat fish and squid Existence and Demise Evidence also exists as to how this particular individual lived and died. "The limb bones and teeth are abnormally shaped in such a way that indicates serious injury or disease while the animal was still living," stated study co-author Dr Erin Maxwell. "The skull seems to have been attacked by a large predator - likely another much larger species of ichthyosaur - providing a reason for demise for this individual. Life in the Mesozoic oceans was a dangerous situation." The discoverer found the 'sword dragon' in cliffs at Golden Cap in Dorset following a storm Finding and Study 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 mean to boast but I have found a few of them," Mr Moore stated. The precise count he's discovered is somewhere in the region of 15, with several of them, including the "sword dragon", proving to be previously unknown types. Mr Moore says he is planning to celebrate the new discovery but has yet to decide precisely what form the celebration will take. "Champagne or a mug of tea, I'm not sure which yet," he commented. The 'sword dragon' is one of numerous ichthyosaur remains 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.