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A nearly complete skeleton found along the Jurassic Coast has been identified as a new species of ichthyosaur, a type of ancient marine reptile that once dominated the oceans.

The dolphin-sized ichthyosaur has been named Xiphodracon goldencapensis, or the "sword dragon of Dorset" and represents the only known example of its type.

Researchers report that indentations on its skull suggest the "sword dragon" may have been fatally wounded by a attack to the head, possibly inflicted by a much larger type of ichthyosaur.

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

It has only recently been completely studied by experts and a research document published classifying it as a new species of ichthyosaur.

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

"Xiphodracon translates to sword-like dragon and that is in reference to that very long, sword-like snout, but also the fact 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 very few ichthyosaur remains have been found.

"During this time ichthyosaurs are incredibly rare, and Xiphodracon is the most complete individual ever discovered from there, helping to fill a gap," Dr Lomax said. "It's a missing piece of the mystery in ichthyosaur evolution."

Distinctive Features

The "sword dragon" is thought to have been about 3m in length and has multiple features that have never been observed in other types of ichthyosaur.

• Researchers say the most unusual feature is a prong-like bone near its nostril
• The skull has an enormous eye socket
• A long sword-like nose that it used to consume fish and squid

Life and Death

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

"The limb bones and teeth are abnormally shaped in such a way that indicates significant trauma or illness while the creature was still alive," said study co-author Dr Erin Maxwell.

"The skull appears to have been bitten by a large predator - probably a different much larger species of ichthyosaur - providing a cause of death for this individual. Existence in ancient seas was a dangerous situation."

Finding and Study

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 completely studied.

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

The precise count he's discovered is somewhere in the region of 15, with several of them, like the "sword dragon", proving to be previously unknown types.

Mr Moore says he is intending to commemorate the recent finding but has yet to decide exactly how the celebration will take.

"Champagne or a mug of tea, I'm undecided at this moment," he says.

The 'sword dragon' is one of numerous ichthyosaur remains that have been found along Dorset's Jurassic Coast dating back to the first discoveries of pioneering palaeontologist Mary Anning in the beginning of the nineteenth century.