Remains Discovered on British Coast Constitutes One-of-a-kind 'Sword Dragon' Type

An almost intact skeleton discovered along the 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 represents the only known specimen of its type.

Researchers state that marks on its skull suggest the "blade serpent" may have been killed by a bite to the head, possibly delivered by a much larger type of ichthyosaur.

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

It has only recently been completely studied by experts and a paper released identifying it as a new species of ichthyosaur.

"I carefully considered about the name," stated ichthyosaur expert Dr Dean Lomax, who collaborated on the paper classifying the fossil as a new species.

"Xiphodracon translates to sword-like dragon and that is in reference to that extremely elongated, sword-like nose, 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, 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 time frame from which extremely rare ichthyosaur fossils have been discovered.

"In this period ichthyosaurs are extremely uncommon, and Xiphodracon is the most complete individual ever discovered from there, helping to fill a gap," Dr Lomax stated. "This represents a crucial element of the mystery in ichthyosaur development."

Unique Characteristics

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

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

Life and Death

There are also clues as to how this particular specimen lived and died.

"Its fins and dental structure are malformed in such a way that points to significant trauma or disease while the creature was still living," stated study contributor Dr Erin Maxwell.

"Its head seems to have been attacked by a large predator - probably a different much larger type of ichthyosaur - giving us a reason for demise for this specimen. Life in the Mesozoic oceans was a dangerous situation."

Finding and Study

The specimen was found 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 completely studied.

"I don't wish to blow my own ichthyosaur trumpet 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, like the "blade serpent", turning out to be previously unknown types.

Mr Moore says he is planning to celebrate the new discovery but has not yet determined exactly how the recognition will take.

"Champagne or a mug of tea, I'm not sure which yet," he commented.

The 'sword dragon' is among many ichthyosaur remains that have been found along Dorset's Jurassic Coast since the first discoveries of trailblazing palaeontologist Mary Anning in the beginning of the nineteenth century.