Triops Longicaudatus
Triops Longicaudatus Red
Triops Longicaudatus
Triops Longicaudatus Red
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Discovery of a new species of dinosaur with a sword-like snout causes a stir
An inconspicuous fossil that lay unnoticed in a museum collection for more than two decades has turned out to be a scientific sensation. Researchers have discovered a previously unknown species of ichthyosaur, a prehistoric marine predator with a sword-like snout and enormous eyes.
The skeleton was discovered on the south coast of England in 2001 and subsequently added to the collection of the Royal Ontario Museum in Canada. Only now have palaeontologists from several countries examined the exceptionally well-preserved fossil in more detail. Their findings, published in the journal Papers in Palaeontology, are surprising: the remains belong to a completely new species, which has been named Xiphodracon goldencapensi, meaning ‘sword dragon of Golden Cap’.
A predator with a ‘weaponised mouth’
The swordfish dragon was around three metres long and resembled a modern-day dolphin in stature. Particularly striking was its pointed snout, which was over a metre long – a dangerous hunting tool that probably gave it its name. Researchers believe that the ichthyosaur used it to spear fish and smaller marine animals at lightning speed.
‘This species differs significantly from all previously known ichthyosaurs,’ explains study leader Dr Emily Stanford from the University of Bristol. ‘In particular, the bone in the area of the nasal opening, which is covered with zinc-like structures, is unique and gives us new insights into the evolutionary diversity of these fascinating marine animals.’
Between the ribs of the fossil, the team also discovered a dark, irregular mass, presumably the remains of its last meal. Such finds are extremely rare and provide valuable information about the animals’ diet.
A glimpse into the oceans of the Jurassic period
The sword dragon lived around 193 to 184 million years ago, during the early Jurassic period. At that time, vast shallow seas covered large parts of Europe, and ichthyosaurs dominated the oceans. Compared to its giant ancestors, which grew up to 25 metres long and reached the dimensions of today’s blue whale, Xiphodracon goldencapensi was rather compact in build – an agile hunter in the coastal waters of that time.
The discovery shows once again that even long-known fossils can still hold secrets. ‘It reminds us that our collections are veritable treasure troves,’ says co-author Dr Michael Turner of the Royal Ontario Museum. ‘Sometimes the most spectacular discoveries have been waiting in our depots for years; we just need to look more closely.’
Xiphodracon goldencapensi adds a new and fascinating chapter to our understanding of marine predators in the Jurassic period. The sword dragon, a relic from a time when the oceans were ruled by armoured giants and lightning-fast hunters, shows that research into the primeval seas is far from complete.
- Discovery of a new species of dinosaur with a sword-like snout causes a stir - 12. October 2025
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