🔗 Share this article

A nearly complete fossilized frame found along Dorset's Jurassic Coast has been identified as a new species of ichthyosaur, a variety of prehistoric marine reptile that once ruled the oceans.

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

Scientists report that marks on its skull suggest the "sword dragon" may have been fatally wounded by a bite to the head, possibly inflicted 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 later obtained by a museum in Canada.

It has only recently been fully analyzed by experts and a paper released identifying it as a previously unknown type of ichthyosaur.

"I carefully considered about the name," said ichthyosaur expert Dr Dean Lomax, who collaborated on the paper identifying the skeleton 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 called sea dragons for about 200 years."

Prehistoric Ocean Creatures

Ichthyosaurs are classified as marine reptiles, rather than dinosaurs, because they lived entirely 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.

"In this period 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."

Unique Characteristics

The "sword dragon" is thought to have been about 3m long and has several features that have not been seen in other types of ichthyosaur.

• Researchers report the most unusual feature is a fork-shaped bone near its nostril
• The skull has an exceptionally large 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 malformed in such a way that indicates significant trauma or disease while the animal was still alive," stated study co-author Dr Erin Maxwell.

"Its head appears to have been bitten by a large predator - likely a different much larger species of ichthyosaur - providing a reason for demise for this specimen. Life in the Mesozoic oceans was a dangerous prospect."

Finding and Study

This "sword dragon" was discovered in 2001 by paleontology enthusiast Chris Moore and then obtained by the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada where it took more than 15 years to be completely studied.

"I don't mean to boast but I have discovered a few of them," Mr Moore said.

The actual number he's unearthed is approximately 15, with several of them, including the "sword dragon", proving to be new species.

Mr Moore says he is planning to celebrate the new discovery but has yet to decide exactly how the recognition will take.

"Either sparkling wine or traditional brew, I'm not sure which yet," 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 trailblazing palaeontologist Mary Anning in the early 1800s.