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

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

Researchers report that indentations on its skull indicate the "blade serpent" may have been fatally wounded by a bite to the head, possibly inflicted by a much larger species of ichthyosaur.

Initially found by a experienced fossil hunter at Golden Cap in Dorset in 2001, the recently identified ichthyosaur was later obtained by a institution in Canada.

Only in recent times been fully analyzed by experts and a research document published classifying it as a new species of ichthyosaur.

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

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

Prehistoric Ocean Creatures

Ichthyosaurs are classified as marine reptiles, not dinosaurs, because they lived entirely in the water. The discovered ichthyosaur is believed to have swum the seas about 185 million years ago, a time frame from which extremely rare ichthyosaur fossils have been found.

"During this time ichthyosaurs are incredibly rare, and Xiphodracon is the most complete individual ever found from there, helping to fill a gap," Dr Lomax said. "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 characteristics that have never been observed in other species of ichthyosaur.

• Researchers say the strangest 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

Life and Death

Evidence also exists as to how this specific specimen existed and perished.

"The limb bones and teeth are abnormally shaped in such a way that indicates serious injury or disease while the creature was still living," stated study contributor Dr Erin Maxwell.

"The skull appears to have been attacked by a sizeable hunter - 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 obtained 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 discovered a few of them," Mr Moore stated.

The precise count he's unearthed is approximately 15, with multiple of them, including the "sword dragon", turning out to be new species.

The discoverer stated 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 one of numerous ichthyosaur fossils that have been found along Dorset's Jurassic Coast since the first discoveries of pioneering palaeontologist Mary Anning in the beginning of the nineteenth century.