The skeleton of a rare prehistoric lizard has been found in Britain

This was reported by the University of Manchester, noting that the find represents the rarest and almost complete skeleton of an ichthyosaur, a marine reptile that lived during the age of the dinosaurs.

The new species was named Xiphodracon goldencapensis, which translates to "sword-dragon of Golden Cap" - after the cliff in the county of Dorset where the fossilised skeleton was found in 2001. However, it wasn't until two decades later that palaeontologists were able to complete its detailed analysis and confirm that it was a previously unknown species.

The study was led by Dr Dean Lomax, an honorary research fellow at the University of Manchester and a recognised expert on ichthyosaurs. He explained that the specimen filled a gap in the evolutionary chain of early Jurassic marine reptiles.

"It is the only known specimen of its genus. It helps us understand exactly how marine faunas changed during that period and which life forms dominated the ancient oceans," Lomax noted.

According to scientists, the length of the found lizard was about three metres - about the length of a modern dolphin. The creature had a long "mechoidal" muzzle and huge eye sockets, indicating excellent eyesight and adaptability to hunting in low-light conditions. It most likely fed on fish and squid.

Ichthyosaurs are not related to dinosaurs - they are a separate group of reptiles fully adapted to life in water. The nearly complete specimen of Xiphodracon goldencapensis includes the skull, spine and parts of the limbs. The find is thought to help scientists better understand the evolution of ichthyosaurs and the diversity of marine species in the early Jurassic period, when the oceans were undergoing major biological changes.

The site where the new species was found is known as the Jurassic Coast, a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the south coast of England. Fossils of ancient sea creatures are regularly found here, but such well-preserved skeletons are extremely rare.

The study was published in the journal Papers in Palaeontology, and the fossilised skeleton will soon be transferred to the Royal Ontario Museum (Toronto, Canada), where it will become part of a permanent exhibition of ancient marine fauna.