A new ichthyosaur species, Xiphodracon goldencapensis, discovered in England, reveals insights into Early Jurassic marine life.

A newly identified ichthyosaur species, Xiphodracon goldencapensis, or "Sword Dragon," has been unveiled from a nearly complete fossil found in 2001 on England’s Jurassic Coast. Discovered by Chris Moore near Golden Cap, the 185-million-year-old specimen, now at the Royal Ontario Museum, features a long snout, large eye sockets, and unique bony structures, suggesting it hunted squid and fish in low light. Researchers describe it as a "missing link" in ichthyosaur evolution, offering rare insights into their diversity and behavior during the Early Jurassic. The fossil’s exceptional preservation includes possible remnants of its final meal and signs of injury and predation.