Fossil Uncovered on UK Coast Constitutes One-of-a-kind 'Sword Dragon' Type

A nearly complete fossilized frame discovered along the Jurassic Coast has been classified as a new species of ichthyosaur, a variety of prehistoric marine reptile that once ruled the oceans.

The dolphin-sized ichthyosaur has been designated Xiphodracon goldencapensis, or the "blade serpent of Dorset" and represents the only known example of its type.

Researchers report that marks on its skull indicate the "blade serpent" may have been killed by a bite to the head, potentially inflicted by a significantly bigger species of ichthyosaur.

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

Only in recent times been completely studied by specialists and a research document released 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 classifying the skeleton as a new species.

"Xiphodracon translates to sword-like dragon and that refers to that very long, sword-like nose, but also the fact that ichthyosaurs have been referred to as 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 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 best preserved individual ever found from there, helping to fill a gap," Dr Lomax said. "It's a missing piece of the mystery in ichthyosaur evolution."

Unique Characteristics

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

• Researchers report the most unusual detail is a prong-like bone near its nose opening
• Its head has an enormous eye socket
• An extended sword-like nose that it used to eat fish and squid

Existence and Demise

There are also clues as to how this particular individual existed and perished.

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

"Its head seems to have been bitten by a sizeable hunter - likely a different considerably bigger species of ichthyosaur - giving us a reason for demise for this specimen. Life in the Mesozoic oceans was a risky prospect."

Finding and Study

This "sword dragon" was discovered in 2001 by paleontology enthusiast Chris Moore and then acquired by the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada where it required 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 unearthed is somewhere in the region of 15, with several of them, like the "blade serpent", proving to be previously unknown types.

Mr Moore says he is intending to commemorate the recent finding but has yet to decide precisely what form the recognition will take.

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

The 'sword dragon' is one of numerous ichthyosaur remains that have been found along Dorset's Jurassic Coast since the first discoveries of trailblazing palaeontologist Mary Anning in the early 1800s.