Remains Discovered on British Shoreline Represents Unique 'Sword Dragon' Species

A nearly complete fossilized frame found along Dorset's Jurassic Coast has been identified as a previously unknown species 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 example of its type.

Scientists state that marks on its skull indicate the "blade serpent" may have been killed by a bite to the head, potentially delivered by a much larger type of ichthyosaur.

Initially found by a prolific fossil hunter at Golden Cap in Dorset in 2001, the recently identified ichthyosaur was later acquired by a museum in Canada.

Only in recent times been fully analyzed by specialists and a paper released classifying it as a previously unknown type of ichthyosaur.

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

"The name Xiphodracon means sword-like dragon and that is in reference to that very long, sword-like nose, 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 spent their lives in the water. This particular ichthyosaur is thought 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 discovered from there, helping to fill a gap," Dr Lomax stated. "It's a missing piece of the puzzle in ichthyosaur evolution."

Unique Characteristics

The "sword dragon" is thought to have been about 3m long and has multiple features that have not been seen in other types of ichthyosaur.

• Scientists report the strangest detail is a prong-like bone near its nostril
• The skull has an exceptionally large eye socket
• A long sword-like nose that it used to consume fish and squid

Life and Death

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

"Its fins and dental structure are abnormally shaped in such a way that points to significant trauma or disease while the creature was still alive," said study contributor Dr Erin Maxwell.

"Its head appears to have been bitten by a sizeable hunter - probably another considerably bigger species of ichthyosaur - giving us a reason for demise for this individual. Existence in ancient seas was a dangerous situation."

Finding and Study

This "sword dragon" was discovered 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 completely studied.

"I don't wish to blow my own ichthyosaur trumpet but I have found a number of them," Mr Moore said.

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

The discoverer stated he is intending to commemorate the new discovery but has yet to decide exactly how the celebration will take.

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

This remarkable discovery is one of numerous ichthyosaur remains that have been discovered along Dorset's Jurassic Coast since the initial findings of pioneering palaeontologist Mary Anning in the beginning of the nineteenth century.