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

This marine creature ichthyosaur has been named Xiphodracon goldencapensis, or the "sword dragon of Dorset" and stands as the only known specimen of its kind.

Scientists state that marks on its skull indicate the "blade serpent" may have been killed by a attack to the head, possibly delivered by a much larger species of ichthyosaur.

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

Only in recent times been fully analyzed by specialists and a research document 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 study identifying the fossil as a novel type.

"Xiphodracon translates to 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 spent their lives 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 fossils have been found.

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

Distinctive Features

The "sword dragon" is thought to have been about 3m long and has multiple features that have not been seen in other species of ichthyosaur.

• Scientists say the strangest detail is a fork-shaped bone near its nostril
• Its head has an exceptionally large eye socket
• An extended sword-like snout that it used to consume 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 significant trauma or disease while the creature was still alive," said study contributor Dr Erin Maxwell.

"Its head seems to have been attacked by a large predator - likely a different much larger type of ichthyosaur - providing a reason for demise for this individual. Existence in ancient seas was a risky situation."

Finding and Study

This "sword dragon" was discovered in 2001 by fossil hunter Chris Moore and then acquired by the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada where it took more than 15 years to be completely studied.

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

The actual number he's unearthed is somewhere in the region of 15, with multiple of them, like the "sword dragon", turning out to be previously unknown types.

The discoverer stated he is intending to commemorate the recent finding but has yet to decide exactly how the recognition will take.

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

This remarkable discovery is among many ichthyosaur fossils that have been found along Dorset's Jurassic Coast since the first discoveries of pioneering palaeontologist Mary Anning in the early 1800s.