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A nearly complete skeleton found along Dorset's Jurassic Coast has been identified as a previously unknown kind of ichthyosaur, a variety of ancient marine reptile that once dominated the oceans.

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

Researchers report that marks on its skull indicate the "blade serpent" may have been fatally wounded by a bite to the head, possibly delivered by a significantly bigger species of ichthyosaur.

Initially found by a prolific fossil hunter 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 carefully considered about the name," said ichthyosaur expert Dr Dean Lomax, who co-authored the study classifying the skeleton as a new species.

"Xiphodracon translates to 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 believed to have inhabited the oceans about 185 million years ago, a time frame from which extremely rare ichthyosaur remains have been found.

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

Distinctive Features

Researchers estimate the creature measured about 3m long and has several features that have never been observed in other species of ichthyosaur.

• Scientists report the strangest detail is a fork-shaped bone near its nose opening
• The skull has an enormous eye socket
• A long sword-like snout that it used to consume fish and squid

Existence and Demise

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

"Its fins and dental structure are malformed in such a way that points to serious injury or disease while the animal was still alive," stated study co-author Dr Erin Maxwell.

"Its head seems to have been bitten by a sizeable hunter - likely another considerably bigger type of ichthyosaur - providing a cause of death for this specimen. Life in the Mesozoic oceans was a risky situation."

Discovery and Analysis

This "sword dragon" was discovered in 2001 by paleontology enthusiast Chris Moore and then obtained 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 few of them," Mr Moore stated.

The precise count he's unearthed is somewhere in the region of 15, with multiple of them, including the "sword dragon", turning out to be new species.

The discoverer stated he is planning to celebrate 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.

This remarkable discovery is among many ichthyosaur fossils that have been found along Dorset's Jurassic Coast since the first discoveries of pioneering palaeontologist Mary Anning in the early 1800s.