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A nearly complete skeleton discovered along the Jurassic Coast has been identified as a previously unknown kind of ichthyosaur, a variety of ancient marine reptile that once ruled the oceans.

This marine creature ichthyosaur has been designated Xiphodracon goldencapensis, or the "sword dragon of Dorset" and stands as the only known example of its kind.

Scientists report that indentations on its skull indicate the "sword dragon" may have been killed by a attack to the head, potentially inflicted by a much larger type of ichthyosaur.

First discovered by a experienced fossil collector at Golden Cap in Dorset in 2001, the new ichthyosaur was later obtained by a museum in Canada.

Only in recent times been fully analyzed by experts and a research document released classifying 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 classifying the skeleton as a new species.

"The name Xiphodracon means sword-like dragon and that refers to that very long, 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. This particular ichthyosaur is believed to have swum the seas about 185 million years ago, a period from which very few ichthyosaur fossils have been found.

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

Unique Characteristics

Researchers estimate the creature measured about 3m long 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
• The skull has an enormous eye socket
• A long sword-like snout that it used to eat fish and squid

Life and Death

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 illness while the creature was still living," stated study co-author Dr Erin Maxwell.

"The skull appears to have been attacked by a large predator - probably a different much larger type of ichthyosaur - providing a cause of death for this individual. Existence in ancient seas was a risky prospect."

Discovery and Analysis

This "sword dragon" was discovered 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 completely studied.

"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 discovered is approximately 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 precisely what form the recognition will take.

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

The 'sword dragon' is among many ichthyosaur fossils that have been discovered along Dorset's Jurassic Coast dating back to the first discoveries of pioneering palaeontologist Mary Anning in the beginning of the nineteenth century.