A nearly complete fossil of a previously unknown ichthyosaur species, Xiphodracon goldencapsis, was unearthed. The researchers found this fossil in the Jurassic Coast of the United Kingdom. Fossil collector Chris Moore discovered it in 2001, and it was subsequently sold to the Royal Ontario Museum.
Sword Dragon: A Sea Reptile
Xiphodracon goldencapsis, or sword dragon was a sea reptile about 3 meters long. It was around during the Early Jurassic Pliensbachian time, which is around 193–184 million years ago. These old predators lived because of their strange body structure and injuries that became fossils. This was discovered on site of Golden Cap which is England’s southern coast.
Significance of the fossil
The fossil shows that this animal had some rough times. There are healed breaks, bad teeth, and a bite on the skull from something bigger. All this tells what was going on in the ocean's world back then.
How does it help with science?
The fossil is now on display at the Royal Ontario Museum. The scientists are examining one of the most complete early Jurassic ichthyosaur specimens. X. goldencapsis is important because it sits in a missing spot on the ichthyosaur family tree.
This finding shows some changes happened sooner than we believed. Relating with previous species to later ichthyosaurs, providing more clues on how these reptiles evolved for scientific research.
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