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An almost intact fossilized frame found along Dorset's Jurassic Coast has been identified as a previously unknown 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 represents the sole documented example of its type.

Scientists report that marks on its skull indicate the "blade serpent" may have been fatally wounded by a bite to the head, potentially delivered by a significantly bigger species of ichthyosaur.

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

Only in recent times been fully analyzed by specialists and a paper released classifying 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 classifying the skeleton as a novel type.

"The name Xiphodracon means sword-like dragon and that is in reference to that very long, sword-like nose, but also the reality that ichthyosaurs have been called sea dragons for about 200 years."

Ancient Marine Life

These creatures are categorized as marine reptiles, not dinosaurs, because they lived entirely in the water. The discovered ichthyosaur is believed to have swum the seas about 185 million years ago, a time frame from which very few ichthyosaur remains have been found.

"In this period ichthyosaurs are extremely uncommon, and Xiphodracon is the most complete individual ever found from there, contributing to close a gap," Dr Lomax stated. "It's a missing piece of the mystery in ichthyosaur development."

Distinctive Features

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

• Scientists say the most unusual detail is a prong-like bone near its nostril
• Its head has an enormous eye socket
• A long sword-like snout that it used to consume fish and squid

Life and Death

There are also clues as to how this particular individual lived and died.

"The limb bones and teeth are abnormally shaped in such a way that points to significant trauma or disease while the creature was still living," said study contributor Dr Erin Maxwell.

"The skull seems to have been bitten by a large predator - likely another considerably bigger species of ichthyosaur - providing a cause of death for this individual. Existence in ancient seas was a dangerous situation."

Discovery and Analysis

This "sword dragon" was discovered in 2001 by paleontology enthusiast 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 wish to blow my own ichthyosaur trumpet but I have discovered a number of them," Mr Moore said.

The actual number he's unearthed 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 not sure which yet," he says.

This remarkable discovery is among many ichthyosaur remains that have been discovered along Dorset's Jurassic Coast since the initial findings of trailblazing palaeontologist Mary Anning in the early 1800s.