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An almost intact skeleton discovered along Dorset's Jurassic Coast has been identified as a previously unknown kind of ichthyosaur, a variety 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 example of its kind.

Scientists report that marks on its skull suggest the "sword dragon" may have been killed by a attack to the head, potentially inflicted by a much larger species of ichthyosaur.

First discovered by a experienced fossil hunter at Golden Cap in Dorset in 2001, the recently identified ichthyosaur was subsequently acquired by a museum in Canada.

Only in recent times been fully analyzed by experts and a paper released classifying it as a previously unknown type of ichthyosaur.

"I carefully considered about the name," stated ichthyosaur specialist Dr Dean Lomax, who co-authored the study identifying the fossil as a new species.

"The name Xiphodracon means sword-like dragon and that is in reference to that extremely elongated, sword-like snout, but also the fact that ichthyosaurs have been referred to as sea dragons for about 200 years."

Prehistoric Ocean Creatures

Ichthyosaurs are classified as marine reptiles, not dinosaurs, because they lived entirely in the water. This particular ichthyosaur is believed to have inhabited the oceans about 185 million years ago, a period from which very few ichthyosaur remains have been discovered.

"In this period ichthyosaurs are incredibly rare, and Xiphodracon is the best preserved individual ever discovered from there, helping to fill a gap," Dr Lomax stated. "This represents a crucial element of the mystery in ichthyosaur evolution."

Distinctive Features

Researchers estimate the creature measured about 3m in length and has multiple features that have not been seen in other types of ichthyosaur.

• Researchers report the most unusual feature is a prong-like bone near its nose opening
• The skull has an exceptionally large eye socket
• A long sword-like snout that it used to consume fish and squid

Life and Death

Evidence also exists as to how this specific individual lived and died.

"The limb bones and teeth are malformed 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 bitten by a large predator - likely a different much larger species of ichthyosaur - giving us a cause of death for this specimen. Existence in ancient seas was a dangerous situation."

Discovery and Analysis

The specimen was found 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 wish to blow my own ichthyosaur trumpet but I have discovered a few of them," Mr Moore said.

The precise count 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 planning to celebrate the recent finding but has yet to decide exactly how the recognition will take.

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

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