Remains Discovered on UK Coast Represents One-of-a-kind 'Sword Dragon' Type

A nearly complete fossilized frame discovered along Dorset's Jurassic Coast has been identified as a new species of ichthyosaur, a type of ancient marine reptile that once dominated the oceans.

The dolphin-sized ichthyosaur has been named Xiphodracon goldencapensis, or the "blade serpent of Dorset" and stands as the only known example of its kind.

Researchers report that marks on its skull suggest the "blade serpent" may have been fatally wounded by a attack to the head, potentially inflicted by a significantly bigger species of ichthyosaur.

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

Only in recent times been fully analyzed by experts and a paper published classifying it as a previously unknown type of ichthyosaur.

"I thought long and hard about the name," stated ichthyosaur specialist Dr Dean Lomax, who collaborated on the study identifying the fossil as a new species.

"Xiphodracon translates to sword-like dragon and that is in reference 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

These creatures are categorized as marine reptiles, not dinosaurs, because they spent their lives in the water. The discovered ichthyosaur is believed 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 incredibly rare, and Xiphodracon is the best preserved individual ever found from there, contributing to close a gap," Dr Lomax stated. "It's a missing piece of the puzzle in ichthyosaur evolution."

Unique Characteristics

The "sword dragon" is thought to have been about 3m in length and has multiple features that have never been observed in other species of ichthyosaur.

• Scientists report the strangest feature is a fork-shaped bone near its nostril
• The skull has an enormous eye socket
• A long sword-like nose that it used to eat fish and squid

Life and Death

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

"Its fins and dental structure are abnormally shaped in such a way that indicates significant trauma or disease while the creature was still living," said study co-author Dr Erin Maxwell.

"The skull appears to have been attacked by a sizeable hunter - probably another considerably bigger type of ichthyosaur - giving us a reason for demise for this specimen. Existence in ancient seas was a risky prospect."

Finding and Study

This "sword dragon" was discovered in 2001 by fossil hunter Chris Moore and then acquired by the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada where it required more than 15 years to be fully analyzed.

"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 unearthed is somewhere in the region of 15, with several of them, including the "blade serpent", turning out to be new species.

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

"Either sparkling wine or traditional brew, I'm undecided at this moment," he says.

The 'sword dragon' is among many ichthyosaur remains that have been discovered along Dorset's Jurassic Coast dating back to the initial findings of pioneering palaeontologist Mary Anning in the beginning of the nineteenth century.