An almost intact skeleton found along the Jurassic Coast has been identified as a new kind of ichthyosaur, a variety of prehistoric marine reptile that once dominated the oceans.
The dolphin-sized ichthyosaur has been designated 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 "blade serpent" may have been killed by a bite to the head, possibly inflicted by a significantly bigger species of ichthyosaur.
First discovered by a prolific fossil hunter at Golden Cap in Dorset in 2001, the new ichthyosaur was subsequently obtained by a museum in Canada.
It has only recently been fully analyzed by experts and a research document released classifying it as a previously unknown type of ichthyosaur.
"I carefully considered about the name," stated ichthyosaur expert Dr Dean Lomax, who collaborated on the paper 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 reality that ichthyosaurs have been referred to as sea dragons for about 200 years."
These creatures are categorized as marine reptiles, rather than 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 time frame from which extremely rare ichthyosaur fossils 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 stated. "It's a missing piece of the mystery in ichthyosaur development."
The "sword dragon" is thought to have been about 3m long and has several features that have not been seen in other species of ichthyosaur.
Evidence also exists as to how this specific individual existed and perished.
"The limb bones and teeth are abnormally shaped in such a way that points to significant trauma or illness while the animal was still alive," stated study contributor Dr Erin Maxwell.
"Its head seems to have been bitten by a large predator - likely a different much larger type of ichthyosaur - providing a reason for demise for this specimen. Existence in ancient seas was a dangerous situation."
The specimen was found in 2001 by paleontology enthusiast 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 found a number of them," Mr Moore said.
The precise count he's unearthed is somewhere in the region of 15, with several of them, like the "blade serpent", proving to be previously unknown types.
The discoverer stated he is planning to celebrate the recent finding but has yet to decide precisely what form the recognition will take.
"Champagne or a mug of tea, I'm undecided at this moment," he says.
The 'sword dragon' is among many ichthyosaur fossils that have been discovered along Dorset's Jurassic Coast dating back to the first discoveries of pioneering palaeontologist Mary Anning in the beginning of the nineteenth century.
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