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A nearly complete fossilized frame discovered along the Jurassic Coast has been identified as a previously unknown kind of ichthyosaur, a type 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 represents the sole documented example of its kind.

Scientists state that indentations on its skull suggest the "blade serpent" may have been fatally wounded by a attack to the head, possibly delivered by a much larger type of ichthyosaur.

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

Only in recent times been fully analyzed by experts and a research document released identifying it as a previously unknown type of ichthyosaur.

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

"Xiphodracon translates to sword-like dragon and that refers to that extremely elongated, sword-like nose, but also the reality 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 lived entirely in the water. This particular ichthyosaur is believed to have swum the seas about 185 million years ago, a time frame from which extremely rare ichthyosaur remains 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 mystery in ichthyosaur development."

Distinctive Features

Researchers estimate the creature measured about 3m in length and has several characteristics that have not been seen in other types of ichthyosaur.

• Scientists say the most unusual feature is a fork-shaped bone near its nostril
• The skull has an exceptionally large eye socket
• An extended sword-like nose that it used to consume fish and squid

Existence and Demise

There are also clues as to how this particular specimen lived and died.

"The limb bones and teeth are abnormally shaped in such a way that points to significant trauma or illness while the animal was still alive," stated study co-author Dr Erin Maxwell.

"Its head seems to have been bitten by a sizeable hunter - likely a different much larger species of ichthyosaur - giving us a reason for demise for this individual. Existence in ancient seas was a risky situation."

Discovery and Analysis

The specimen was found in 2001 by fossil hunter 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 wish to blow my own ichthyosaur trumpet but I have discovered a few of them," Mr Moore stated.

The actual number he's discovered is somewhere in the region of 15, with several of them, including the "blade serpent", turning out to be previously unknown types.

Mr Moore says he is intending to commemorate 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 initial findings of trailblazing palaeontologist Mary Anning in the beginning of the nineteenth century.