abstract:Maxakalisaurus is a genus of aeolosaurid dinosaur, found in Brazil, 45 kilometers (28 mi) from the city of Prata, in the state of Minas Gerais in 1998. It was related to Saltasaurus, a sauropod considered unusual because it had evolved apparently defensive traits, including bony plates on its skin and vertical plates along its spine; such osteoderms have also been found for Maxakalisaurus.