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

The dolphin-sized ichthyosaur has been named Xiphodracon goldencapensis, or the "sword dragon of Dorset" and stands as the only known specimen of its kind.

Scientists state that marks on its skull suggest the "blade serpent" may have been fatally wounded by a attack to the head, possibly inflicted by a significantly bigger species of ichthyosaur.

First discovered by a prolific 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 specialists and a paper released classifying it as a previously unknown type of ichthyosaur.

"I carefully considered about the name," said ichthyosaur specialist Dr Dean Lomax, who collaborated on the study classifying the skeleton as a new species.

"Xiphodracon translates to sword-like dragon and that refers to that extremely elongated, sword-like nose, 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 believed to have swum the seas about 185 million years ago, a period from which extremely rare ichthyosaur remains have been found.

"In this period ichthyosaurs are extremely uncommon, and Xiphodracon is the best preserved individual ever found from there, contributing to close a gap," Dr Lomax said. "This represents a crucial element of the mystery in ichthyosaur evolution."

Distinctive Features

Researchers estimate the creature measured about 3m long and has multiple features that have not been seen in other types of ichthyosaur.

• Researchers report the most unusual feature is a fork-shaped bone near its nose opening
• Its head has an exceptionally large eye socket
• An extended sword-like snout that it used to eat fish and squid

Existence and Demise

Evidence also exists as to how this particular specimen existed and perished.

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

"The skull seems to have been attacked by a large predator - likely another much larger type of ichthyosaur - giving us a cause of death for this specimen. Existence in ancient seas was a dangerous prospect."

Discovery and Analysis

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

"I don't wish to blow my own ichthyosaur trumpet but I have found a few of them," Mr Moore stated.

The actual number he's unearthed is somewhere in the region of 15, with several of them, like the "blade serpent", proving to be previously unknown types.

Mr Moore says he is planning to celebrate the recent finding 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 commented.

The 'sword dragon' 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.