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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 variety of ancient marine reptile that once dominated the oceans.

This marine creature ichthyosaur has been designated Xiphodracon goldencapensis, or the "blade serpent of Dorset" and stands as the sole documented specimen of its kind.

Researchers state that marks on its skull indicate the "sword dragon" may have been fatally wounded by a attack to the head, possibly inflicted by a significantly bigger species of ichthyosaur.

Initially found by a experienced fossil collector at Golden Cap in Dorset in 2001, the new ichthyosaur was later acquired by a institution in Canada.

Only in recent times been completely studied by specialists and a paper released identifying it as a new species of ichthyosaur.

"I thought long and hard about the name," said ichthyosaur specialist Dr Dean Lomax, who collaborated on the paper identifying the fossil as a novel type.

"Xiphodracon translates to sword-like dragon and that refers to that very long, sword-like nose, but also the reality that ichthyosaurs have been referred to as sea dragons for about 200 years."

Ancient Marine Life

These creatures are categorized as marine reptiles, not dinosaurs, because they lived entirely in the water. The discovered ichthyosaur is thought to have swum the seas about 185 million years ago, a time frame from which very few ichthyosaur fossils have been found.

"In this period ichthyosaurs are extremely uncommon, 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 puzzle in ichthyosaur evolution."

Distinctive Features

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

• Scientists report the most unusual feature is a prong-like bone near its nostril
• Its head has an enormous eye socket
• An extended sword-like snout 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 malformed in such a way that indicates significant trauma or disease while the creature was still alive," stated study contributor Dr Erin Maxwell.

"The skull appears to have been bitten by a sizeable hunter - likely another considerably bigger type of ichthyosaur - giving us a reason for demise for this individual. Existence in ancient seas was a risky prospect."

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 precise count he's unearthed is approximately 15, with several of them, like the "blade serpent", turning out to be previously unknown types.

The discoverer stated he is planning to celebrate the new discovery but has not yet determined precisely what form the recognition will take.

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

This remarkable discovery is among many ichthyosaur remains that have been discovered along Dorset's Jurassic Coast dating back to the initial findings of trailblazing palaeontologist Mary Anning in the beginning of the nineteenth century.