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An almost intact fossilized frame found along the Jurassic Coast has been classified as a previously unknown species 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 represents the sole documented example of its kind.

Scientists report that marks on its skull suggest the "sword dragon" may have been fatally wounded by a bite to the head, possibly inflicted by a significantly bigger species of ichthyosaur.

Initially found by a prolific fossil collector at Golden Cap in Dorset in 2001, the recently identified ichthyosaur was later acquired by a institution in Canada.

Only in recent times been fully analyzed by experts and a paper released identifying it as a previously unknown type of ichthyosaur.

"I carefully considered about the name," said ichthyosaur specialist Dr Dean Lomax, who co-authored the paper classifying the fossil as a new species.

"The name Xiphodracon means sword-like dragon and that refers 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

These creatures are categorized as marine reptiles, not dinosaurs, because they lived entirely in the water. The discovered ichthyosaur is thought to have swum the seas 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 best preserved individual ever found from there, contributing to close a gap," Dr Lomax said. "It's a missing piece of the mystery in ichthyosaur evolution."

Distinctive Features

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

• Scientists say the most unusual feature is a prong-like bone near its nose opening
• The skull 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 animal was still living," stated study co-author Dr Erin Maxwell.

"The skull seems to have been bitten by a sizeable hunter - probably another considerably bigger species of ichthyosaur - providing a cause of death for this individual. Life in the Mesozoic oceans was a risky situation."

Discovery and Analysis

The specimen was found in 2001 by fossil hunter 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 wish to blow my own ichthyosaur trumpet but I have discovered a number of them," Mr Moore said.

The precise count he's unearthed is somewhere in the region of 15, with multiple of them, including the "blade serpent", proving to be previously unknown types.

The discoverer stated he is intending to commemorate the new discovery but has yet to decide exactly how the celebration will take.

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

This remarkable discovery is one of numerous ichthyosaur remains that have been discovered along Dorset's Jurassic Coast since the first discoveries of trailblazing palaeontologist Mary Anning in the beginning of the nineteenth century.