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A nearly complete skeleton discovered along Dorset's Jurassic Coast has been identified as a new species of ichthyosaur, a type 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 represents the only known example of its type.

Scientists report that marks on its cranium suggest the "blade serpent" may have been killed by a attack to the head, potentially delivered by a significantly bigger type of ichthyosaur.

First discovered by a prolific 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 completely studied by specialists and a paper published identifying it as a previously unknown type of ichthyosaur.

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

"Xiphodracon translates to sword-like dragon and that refers to that extremely elongated, sword-like nose, but also the fact 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. This particular ichthyosaur is believed to have swum the seas about 185 million years ago, a time frame from which very few ichthyosaur fossils have been discovered.

"During this time ichthyosaurs are extremely uncommon, and Xiphodracon is the most complete individual ever discovered from there, contributing to close a gap," Dr Lomax stated. "This represents a crucial element of the puzzle in ichthyosaur evolution."

Distinctive Features

Researchers estimate the creature measured about 3m in length and has multiple characteristics that have never been observed in other species of ichthyosaur.

• Researchers report the most unusual feature is a prong-like bone near its nostril
• Its head has an enormous eye socket
• A long sword-like nose that it used to eat fish and squid

Existence and Demise

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

"The limb bones and teeth are malformed in such a way that indicates serious injury or disease while the animal was still living," said study co-author Dr Erin Maxwell.

"Its head seems to have been attacked by a large predator - likely a different considerably bigger species of ichthyosaur - providing a reason for demise for this individual. Life in the Mesozoic oceans was a risky prospect."

Finding and Study

The specimen was found in 2001 by fossil hunter Chris Moore and then acquired by the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada where it took more than 15 years to be fully analyzed.

"I don't mean to boast but I have found a number of them," Mr Moore said.

The actual number he's discovered is approximately 15, with several of them, including the "sword dragon", proving to be new species.

The discoverer stated he is intending to commemorate the new discovery but has yet to decide 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 among many ichthyosaur remains that have been discovered along Dorset's Jurassic Coast since the first discoveries of trailblazing palaeontologist Mary Anning in the beginning of the nineteenth century.