Remains Uncovered on UK Coast Represents Unique 'Sword Dragon' Species

An almost intact fossilized frame found along the Jurassic Coast has been classified as a new species of ichthyosaur, a variety of prehistoric marine reptile that once ruled the oceans.

This marine creature ichthyosaur has been named Xiphodracon goldencapensis, or the "blade serpent of Dorset" and stands as the only known example of its kind.

Researchers state that indentations on its cranium indicate the "blade serpent" may have been killed by a bite to the head, potentially inflicted by a much larger type of ichthyosaur.

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

It has only recently been fully analyzed by specialists and a research document 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 study identifying the fossil as a new species.

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

Prehistoric Ocean Creatures

Ichthyosaurs are classified as marine reptiles, not dinosaurs, because they spent their lives in the water. This particular ichthyosaur is thought to have swum the seas about 185 million years ago, a time frame from which extremely rare ichthyosaur remains have been found.

"During this time ichthyosaurs are extremely uncommon, and Xiphodracon is the most complete individual ever discovered from there, contributing to close a gap," Dr Lomax stated. "It's a missing piece of the mystery in ichthyosaur development."

Distinctive Features

Researchers estimate the creature measured about 3m in length and has several characteristics that have not been seen in other species of ichthyosaur.

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

Existence and Demise

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

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

"The skull appears to have been bitten by a sizeable hunter - probably a different considerably bigger species of ichthyosaur - providing a cause of death for this individual. Existence in ancient seas 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 required more than 15 years to be completely studied.

"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 unearthed is approximately 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 not yet determined precisely what form the celebration will take.

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

This remarkable discovery is among many ichthyosaur remains that have been discovered along Dorset's Jurassic Coast dating back to the first discoveries of pioneering palaeontologist Mary Anning in the early 1800s.