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A nearly complete skeleton found along the Jurassic Coast has been identified as a previously unknown species of ichthyosaur, a type 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 sole documented example of its kind.

Scientists state that marks on its skull suggest the "sword dragon" may have been fatally wounded by a bite to the head, potentially 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 subsequently acquired by a museum in Canada.

It has only recently been fully analyzed by specialists and a paper released classifying it as a previously unknown type of ichthyosaur.

"I carefully considered about the name," stated ichthyosaur expert Dr Dean Lomax, who co-authored the paper identifying the fossil as a new species.

"Xiphodracon translates to sword-like dragon and that refers to that very long, sword-like nose, but also the fact that ichthyosaurs have been called sea dragons for about 200 years."

Ancient Marine Life

These creatures are categorized as marine reptiles, not dinosaurs, because they spent their lives in the water. The discovered ichthyosaur is thought 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 incredibly rare, and Xiphodracon is the best preserved individual ever discovered from there, helping to fill a gap," Dr Lomax said. "This represents a crucial element of the puzzle in ichthyosaur development."

Distinctive Features

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

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

Life and Death

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 animal was still living," said study co-author Dr Erin Maxwell.

"The skull appears to have been bitten by a large predator - probably a different considerably bigger type of ichthyosaur - giving us a cause of death for this individual. Existence in ancient seas was a risky situation."

Finding and Study

This "sword dragon" was discovered in 2001 by paleontology enthusiast Chris Moore and then obtained by the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada where it required 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 actual number he's unearthed is somewhere in the region of 15, with several of them, like the "sword dragon", turning out to be previously unknown types.

Mr Moore says he is intending to commemorate the recent finding but has not yet determined precisely what form the recognition will take.

"Either sparkling wine or traditional brew, I'm undecided at this moment," he says.

The 'sword dragon' is among many ichthyosaur remains that have been discovered along Dorset's Jurassic Coast dating back to the initial findings of trailblazing palaeontologist Mary Anning in the early 1800s.