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

This marine creature ichthyosaur has been designated Xiphodracon goldencapensis, or the "sword dragon of Dorset" and represents the only known example of its type.

Researchers state that marks on its cranium indicate the "sword dragon" may have been killed by a bite to the head, potentially inflicted by a significantly bigger type of ichthyosaur.

Initially found by a prolific fossil collector at Golden Cap in Dorset in 2001, the new ichthyosaur was subsequently acquired by a museum in Canada.

Only in recent times been completely studied by experts and a research document published identifying it as a new species of ichthyosaur.

"I thought long and hard about the name," stated ichthyosaur specialist Dr Dean Lomax, who co-authored the study classifying the fossil as a novel type.

"Xiphodracon translates to sword-like dragon and that is in reference 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, not dinosaurs, because they lived entirely in the water. This particular 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 extremely uncommon, and Xiphodracon is the best preserved individual ever discovered from there, contributing to close a gap," Dr Lomax stated. "It's a missing piece of the puzzle in ichthyosaur evolution."

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 say the most unusual detail is a fork-shaped bone near its nostril
• Its head has an enormous eye socket
• A long sword-like snout that it used to consume fish and squid

Existence and Demise

Evidence also exists as to how this specific specimen lived and died.

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

"Its head seems to have been attacked by a large predator - likely another considerably bigger type of ichthyosaur - giving us a reason for demise for this specimen. Life in the Mesozoic oceans was a dangerous prospect."

Finding and Study

The specimen was found 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 mean to boast but I have found a number of them," Mr Moore said.

The precise count he's discovered is somewhere in the region of 15, with multiple of them, like the "blade serpent", proving to be new species.

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

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

This remarkable discovery is one of numerous 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.