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A nearly complete skeleton found along the Jurassic Coast has been classified as a new kind of ichthyosaur, a type of prehistoric marine reptile that once ruled the oceans.

This marine creature ichthyosaur has been named Xiphodracon goldencapensis, or the "sword dragon of Dorset" and represents the only known specimen of its type.

Researchers report that marks on its cranium suggest the "sword dragon" may have been killed by a bite 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 recently identified ichthyosaur was later obtained by a institution in Canada.

It has only recently been completely studied by specialists and a research document published identifying it as a previously unknown type of ichthyosaur.

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

"Xiphodracon translates to sword-like dragon and that refers to that very long, sword-like snout, 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. The discovered ichthyosaur is believed to have inhabited the oceans about 185 million years ago, a period from which extremely rare ichthyosaur remains 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 mystery in ichthyosaur development."

Distinctive Features

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

• Scientists report the most unusual detail is a fork-shaped bone near its nostril
• Its head has an exceptionally large eye socket
• A long 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.

"Its fins and dental structure are abnormally shaped in such a way that points to serious injury or illness while the creature was still alive," said study co-author Dr Erin Maxwell.

"Its head appears to have been bitten by a sizeable hunter - probably another much larger type of ichthyosaur - providing a cause of death for this individual. Life in the Mesozoic oceans was a risky prospect."

Discovery and Analysis

The specimen was found in 2001 by paleontology enthusiast Chris Moore and then acquired 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 few of them," Mr Moore stated.

The precise count he's discovered is approximately 15, with multiple of them, like the "blade serpent", proving to be new species.

Mr Moore says he is planning to celebrate the recent finding but has yet to decide precisely what form 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.