Fossil Discovered on UK Shoreline Represents One-of-a-kind 'Sword Dragon' Type

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

The dolphin-sized ichthyosaur has been designated Xiphodracon goldencapensis, or the "blade serpent of Dorset" and represents the sole documented example of its kind.

Researchers report that marks on its skull suggest the "sword dragon" may have been killed by a attack to the head, possibly delivered by a much larger species of ichthyosaur.

First discovered by a prolific fossil hunter at Golden Cap in Dorset in 2001, the recently identified ichthyosaur was subsequently acquired by a museum in Canada.

It has only recently been fully analyzed by specialists and a research document released identifying it as a new species of ichthyosaur.

"I carefully considered about the name," stated ichthyosaur expert Dr Dean Lomax, who collaborated on the paper identifying the skeleton 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 called sea dragons for about 200 years."

Ancient Marine Life

Ichthyosaurs are classified as marine reptiles, rather than dinosaurs, because they lived entirely in the water. The discovered ichthyosaur is thought to have swum the seas about 185 million years ago, a period from which very few ichthyosaur fossils have been discovered.

"In this period ichthyosaurs are extremely uncommon, and Xiphodracon is the best preserved individual ever discovered from there, helping to fill a gap," Dr Lomax said. "This represents a crucial element of the puzzle in ichthyosaur development."

Distinctive Features

The "sword dragon" is thought to have been about 3m long and has several characteristics that have never been observed in other species of ichthyosaur.

• Researchers say the strangest detail is a fork-shaped bone near its nose opening
• Its head has an enormous eye socket
• A long sword-like nose that it used to consume fish and squid

Life and Death

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

"The limb bones and teeth are abnormally shaped in such a way that indicates serious injury or disease while the creature was still living," stated study contributor Dr Erin Maxwell.

"Its head seems to have been attacked by a sizeable hunter - probably a different considerably bigger type of ichthyosaur - providing a cause of death for this individual. Life in the Mesozoic oceans was a risky prospect."

Finding and Study

The specimen was found in 2001 by paleontology enthusiast 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 mean to boast but I have discovered a number of them," Mr Moore stated.

The precise count he's discovered is somewhere in the region of 15, with several of them, like the "blade serpent", turning out 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 says.

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