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

This marine creature ichthyosaur has been named Xiphodracon goldencapensis, or the "blade serpent of Dorset" and stands as the only known specimen of its type.

Scientists state that indentations on its skull suggest the "blade serpent" may have been killed by a attack 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 later obtained by a museum in Canada.

Only in recent times been fully analyzed by specialists and a paper published classifying it as a new species of ichthyosaur.

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

"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 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 inhabited the oceans about 185 million years ago, a time frame from which extremely rare ichthyosaur remains have been found.

"During this time ichthyosaurs are extremely uncommon, and Xiphodracon is the best preserved individual ever discovered from there, helping to fill a gap," Dr Lomax stated. "This represents a crucial element of the puzzle in ichthyosaur evolution."

Unique Characteristics

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

• Scientists report the strangest detail is a prong-like bone near its nostril
• Its head 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 specific individual lived and died.

"Its fins and dental structure are abnormally shaped in such a way that points to serious injury or illness while the creature was still alive," stated study contributor Dr Erin Maxwell.

"Its head appears to have been bitten by a sizeable hunter - likely another much larger type of ichthyosaur - providing a reason for demise 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 acquired 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 number of them," Mr Moore said.

The precise count he's unearthed is somewhere in the region of 15, with multiple of them, like the "blade serpent", 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 not sure which yet," he says.

This remarkable discovery is one of numerous ichthyosaur remains that have been found along Dorset's Jurassic Coast since the initial findings of pioneering palaeontologist Mary Anning in the early 1800s.