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A nearly complete skeleton discovered along Dorset's Jurassic Coast has been classified as a new species of ichthyosaur, a variety of prehistoric marine reptile that once dominated the oceans.

The dolphin-sized ichthyosaur has been designated Xiphodracon goldencapensis, or the "blade serpent of Dorset" and stands as the sole documented example of its kind.

Researchers report that marks on its skull suggest the "blade serpent" may have been killed by a bite to the head, potentially delivered by a much larger species of ichthyosaur.

Initially found by a experienced 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 fully analyzed by specialists and a paper published classifying it as a new species of ichthyosaur.

"I thought long and hard about the name," said ichthyosaur specialist Dr Dean Lomax, who collaborated on the paper classifying the fossil as a new species.

"The name Xiphodracon means sword-like dragon and that refers to that extremely elongated, sword-like snout, 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, 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.

"During this time ichthyosaurs are extremely uncommon, and Xiphodracon is the most complete individual ever discovered from there, contributing to close a gap," Dr Lomax said. "It's a missing piece of the puzzle 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 species of ichthyosaur.

• Researchers report the most unusual detail is a prong-like bone near its nostril
• The skull has an exceptionally large eye socket
• A long 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.

"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.

"Its head seems to have been attacked by a large predator - probably a different much larger species of ichthyosaur - giving us a cause of death for this specimen. Existence in ancient seas was a risky 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 required more than 15 years to be fully analyzed.

"I don't mean to boast but I have discovered a number of them," Mr Moore stated.

The actual number he's discovered 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 recent finding but has yet to decide exactly how the recognition will take.

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

This remarkable discovery is one of numerous ichthyosaur fossils that have been found along Dorset's Jurassic Coast since the initial findings of trailblazing palaeontologist Mary Anning in the beginning of the nineteenth century.