The formation was named by Garrido in 2010 as shaly unit conformably and transitionally overlying the Portezuelo Formation, to which the layers were formerly defined and in the same manner underlying the Sierra Barrosa Formation, all belonging to the Río Neuquén Subgroup of the Neuquén Group in the Neuquén Basin. The unit now known as Los Bastos Formation was included in the original definition by Herrero Ducloux (1938, 1939) as "Portezuelo Medio", as part of the "Portezuelo Beds" he described.[1]
The type locality of the formation is located at the foot of the outcrop of the eponymous Los Bastos Field, between the localities of Sierra Barrosa and Cerro Senillosa. The formation at its type section reaches a thickness of 35 metres (115 ft). The formation comprises red mudstones intercalated by thin levels of siltstones and fine well-sorted yellowish to greenish grey sandstones. The formation has similar lithological characteristics as the Lisandro Formation and was deposited in a fluvial environment characterized by sinuous channels. Based on the stratigraphic relations with the overlying and underlying units, the age has been estimated to be early to middle Coniacian.[2]
Forasiepi, A. M.; Coria, R. A.; Hurum, J.; Currie, P. J. (2012), "First dryolestoid (Mammalia, Dryolestoidea, Meridiolestida) from the Coniacian of Patagonia and new evidence on their early radiation in South America", Ameghiniana, 49 (4): 497–504, doi:10.5710/AMGH.8.8.2012.581
