British scientists have announced the discovery of a new ichthyosaur species, named Xiphodracon goldencapensis, or the «sword-like dragon». The fossils of this ancient marine reptile, dating back to the Early Jurassic period, were found on the southern coast of Great Britain. A detailed description of the discovery has been published in the journal Papers in Palaeontology, with an announcement made by the University of Manchester.
This nearly complete skeleton represents a unique specimen of an ichthyosaur, a prehistoric marine predator that once dominated ancient oceans. The ichthyosaur, comparable in size to a dolphin, possessed a distinctive skull with large eye sockets and an elongated, sword-like snout. Scientists estimate that the animal reached a length of approximately three meters and fed on fish and squids, as evidenced by traces found on the remains, possibly from its last meal.
According to research co-author Judy Massare, who spoke to ABC television, the fossils were initially discovered in 2001 and were stored at the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada for an extended period before researchers had the opportunity to begin studying them in 2024.
