NEW SPECIES

Scientists Reveal Fossil Is Unique ‘Sword Dragon’ Species

It was first found 24 years ago.

A dolphin-sized monster that swam the oceans 185 million years ago has been identified as a new species dubbed the “sword dragon.” The near-complete fossil was discovered by hunter Chris Moore in Golden Cap, Dorset, U.K., in 2001. It is a type of ichthyosaur, a marine reptile that is distinct from dinosaurs. Officially named Xiphodracon goldencapensis, analysis of the remains has been published in a new paper, the BBC reports. Researchers noted that the beast likely died a grisly death from massive damage to the head. “The skull appears to have been bitten by a large predator—likely another much larger species of ichthyosaur—giving us a cause of death,” said ichthyosaur expert Dr Dean Lomax. The find is “incredibly rare,” He said, adding it was a “missing piece of the puzzle in the ichthyosaur evolution.” Before its death, it likely lived a hard life. “The limb bones and teeth are malformed in such a way that points to serious injury or disease while the animal was still alive,” he added. Lomax thought “long and hard about the name,” he said. “Xiphodracon translates to sword-like dragon and that is in reference to that very long, sword-like snout, but also the fact that ichthyosaurs have been referred to as sea dragons for about 200 years.”