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An almost intact skeleton found along Dorset's Jurassic Coast has been classified as a new kind of ichthyosaur, a type of prehistoric marine reptile that once dominated 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 type.

Researchers state that marks on its cranium suggest the "blade serpent" may have been fatally wounded by a attack to the head, potentially inflicted by a much larger species of ichthyosaur.

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

It has only recently been completely studied by specialists and a research document released identifying 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 study identifying the fossil as a new species.

"The name Xiphodracon means sword-like dragon and that is in reference to that extremely elongated, sword-like snout, but also the reality 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 inhabited the oceans about 185 million years ago, a period from which extremely rare ichthyosaur remains have been discovered.

"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. "It's a missing piece of the mystery in ichthyosaur evolution."

Unique Characteristics

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

• Researchers report the most unusual feature is a fork-shaped bone near its nose opening
• Its head has an exceptionally large eye socket
• An extended sword-like snout that it used to consume fish and squid

Existence and Demise

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

"The limb bones and teeth are malformed in such a way that indicates significant trauma or illness while the animal was still living," said study co-author Dr Erin Maxwell.

"Its head seems to have been bitten by a large predator - probably a different considerably bigger type of ichthyosaur - providing a cause of death for this individual. Life in the Mesozoic oceans was a risky situation."

Finding and Study

The specimen was found in 2001 by fossil hunter Chris Moore and then obtained by the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada where it required more than 15 years to be fully analyzed.

"I don't mean to boast 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 multiple of them, like the "sword dragon", proving to be new species.

Mr Moore says he is intending to commemorate the new discovery but has not yet determined exactly how the recognition will take.

"Champagne or a mug of tea, I'm not sure which yet," he commented.

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