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A nearly complete skeleton discovered along the Jurassic Coast has been identified as a previously unknown kind of ichthyosaur, a variety of prehistoric marine reptile that once dominated the oceans.

This marine creature ichthyosaur has been named Xiphodracon goldencapensis, or the "sword dragon 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 killed by a attack to the head, potentially delivered by a significantly bigger species of ichthyosaur.

First discovered by a experienced fossil collector at Golden Cap in Dorset in 2001, the new ichthyosaur was subsequently acquired by a institution in Canada.

It has only recently been completely studied by experts 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 collaborated on the paper classifying the fossil 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."

Ancient Marine Life

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 discovered.

"In this period ichthyosaurs are incredibly rare, and Xiphodracon is the most complete individual ever found from there, helping to fill a gap," Dr Lomax stated. "It's a missing piece of the puzzle in ichthyosaur evolution."

Distinctive Features

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.

• Researchers say the most unusual feature is a prong-like bone near its nostril
• Its head has an exceptionally large 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 existed and perished.

"Its fins and dental structure are malformed in such a way that indicates serious injury or illness while the creature was still alive," stated study co-author Dr Erin Maxwell.

"The skull seems to have been attacked by a sizeable hunter - probably a different considerably bigger type of ichthyosaur - giving us a reason for demise for this specimen. Life in the Mesozoic oceans was a risky situation."

Discovery and Analysis

This "sword dragon" was discovered in 2001 by fossil hunter 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 said.

The actual number he's discovered is approximately 15, with multiple of them, like the "blade serpent", turning out to be previously unknown types.

Mr Moore says he is planning to celebrate the recent finding but has yet to decide precisely what form the celebration will take.

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

The 'sword dragon' is one of numerous ichthyosaur fossils that have been discovered along Dorset's Jurassic Coast dating back to the first discoveries of trailblazing palaeontologist Mary Anning in the beginning of the nineteenth century.