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A nearly complete fossilized frame found along Dorset's Jurassic Coast has been classified as a new species of ichthyosaur, a type of ancient marine reptile that once dominated the oceans.

The dolphin-sized ichthyosaur has been named Xiphodracon goldencapensis, or the "sword dragon of Dorset" and stands as the sole documented specimen of its type.

Scientists state that marks on its skull suggest the "blade serpent" may have been killed by a attack to the head, possibly delivered by a significantly bigger 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.

It has only recently been completely studied by experts and a paper released classifying it as a new species of ichthyosaur.

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

"Xiphodracon translates to sword-like dragon and that refers to that extremely elongated, sword-like snout, but also the reality that ichthyosaurs have been called sea dragons for about 200 years."

Ancient Marine Life

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

"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 said. "It's a missing piece of the puzzle in ichthyosaur evolution."

Unique Characteristics

The "sword dragon" is thought to have been about 3m long and has multiple features that have never been observed in other species of ichthyosaur.

• Researchers report the strangest feature is a fork-shaped bone near its nose opening
• Its head has an exceptionally large eye socket
• A long sword-like snout that it used to consume fish and squid

Existence and Demise

Evidence also exists as to how this particular specimen lived and died.

"Its fins and dental structure are abnormally shaped in such a way that points to serious injury or disease while the creature was still living," said study co-author Dr Erin Maxwell.

"Its head appears to have been bitten by a large predator - likely another much larger type of ichthyosaur - giving us a reason for demise 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 completely studied.

"I don't wish to blow my own ichthyosaur trumpet but I have discovered a few of them," Mr Moore stated.

The precise count he's discovered 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 planning to celebrate 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 among many ichthyosaur remains that have been discovered along Dorset's Jurassic Coast since the first discoveries of trailblazing palaeontologist Mary Anning in the beginning of the nineteenth century.