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An almost intact skeleton found along Dorset's Jurassic Coast has been identified as a previously unknown species of ichthyosaur, a variety of prehistoric marine reptile that once ruled the oceans.

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

Scientists report that indentations on its skull suggest the "blade serpent" may have been fatally wounded by a attack to the head, possibly inflicted by a much larger type of ichthyosaur.

First discovered by a prolific fossil hunter at Golden Cap in Dorset in 2001, the recently identified ichthyosaur was later acquired by a institution in Canada.

Only in recent times been completely studied by specialists and a paper released identifying it as a new species of ichthyosaur.

"I thought long and hard about the name," said ichthyosaur specialist Dr Dean Lomax, who co-authored the paper classifying the fossil as a new species.

"Xiphodracon translates to sword-like dragon and that refers to that very long, sword-like nose, but also the reality 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 spent their lives in the water. The discovered ichthyosaur is thought to have inhabited the oceans about 185 million years ago, a period from which very few ichthyosaur fossils have been found.

"In this period ichthyosaurs are extremely uncommon, and Xiphodracon is the best preserved individual ever discovered from there, helping to fill a gap," Dr Lomax stated. "It's a missing piece of the mystery in ichthyosaur evolution."

Distinctive Features

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

• Scientists say the strangest feature is a prong-like bone near its nose opening
• The skull has an exceptionally large eye socket
• An extended sword-like snout that it used to eat fish and squid

Life and Death

There are also clues as to how this specific individual existed and perished.

"The limb bones and teeth are malformed in such a way that indicates serious injury or illness while the creature was still alive," said study co-author Dr Erin Maxwell.

"The skull seems to have been attacked by a large predator - probably a different considerably bigger species of ichthyosaur - giving us a cause of death for this specimen. 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 obtained 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 found a number of them," Mr Moore said.

The precise count he's unearthed is approximately 15, with multiple of them, like the "sword dragon", turning out to be previously unknown types.

Mr Moore says he is planning to celebrate the recent finding but has yet to decide exactly how the celebration 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 found along Dorset's Jurassic Coast dating back to the initial findings of pioneering palaeontologist Mary Anning in the early 1800s.