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An almost intact fossilized frame found along the Jurassic Coast has been classified as a previously unknown 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 kind.

Scientists state that indentations on its skull suggest the "blade serpent" may have been fatally wounded by a attack to the head, potentially delivered by a significantly bigger species of ichthyosaur.

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

Only in recent times been completely studied by experts and a research document published identifying it as a previously unknown type of ichthyosaur.

"I thought long and hard about the name," stated ichthyosaur specialist Dr Dean Lomax, who collaborated on the study classifying the skeleton as a new species.

"Xiphodracon translates to sword-like dragon and that is in reference to that extremely elongated, sword-like snout, but also the fact that ichthyosaurs have been called 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 swum the seas about 185 million years ago, a period from which extremely rare ichthyosaur remains have been discovered.

"During this time ichthyosaurs are incredibly rare, and Xiphodracon is the best preserved individual ever found from there, contributing to close a gap," Dr Lomax stated. "It's a missing piece of the mystery in ichthyosaur evolution."

Unique Characteristics

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

• Scientists say the most unusual feature is a fork-shaped bone near its nostril
• The skull 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 specimen 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," said study co-author Dr Erin Maxwell.

"The skull appears to have been attacked by a large predator - likely a different much larger type of ichthyosaur - providing a reason for demise for this individual. Life in the Mesozoic oceans was a dangerous situation."

Discovery and Analysis

This "sword dragon" was discovered in 2001 by paleontology enthusiast Chris Moore and then obtained by the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada where it required 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 stated.

The precise count he's discovered 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 planning to celebrate the new discovery but has not yet determined precisely what form the celebration will take.

"Either sparkling wine or traditional brew, I'm not sure which yet," he says.

The 'sword dragon' is one of numerous ichthyosaur fossils that have been discovered along Dorset's Jurassic Coast dating back to the initial findings of pioneering palaeontologist Mary Anning in the early 1800s.