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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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 \u2018sword dragon of Golden Cap\u2019.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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 \u2013 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018This species differs significantly from all previously known ichthyosaurs,\u2019 explains study leader Dr Emily Stanford from the University of Bristol. \u2018In 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.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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 \u2013 an agile hunter in the coastal waters of that time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The discovery shows once again that even long-known fossils can still hold secrets. \u2018It reminds us that our collections are veritable treasure troves,\u2019 says co-author Dr Michael Turner of the Royal Ontario Museum. \u2018Sometimes the most spectacular discoveries have been waiting in our depots for years; we just need to look more closely.\u2019<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 […]\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":12390,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[239],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12393","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-en"],"yoast_head":"\n