Most of the formation is represented by massive
dolomites, indicative of a shallow-water depositional environment. Fossils are generally rare, but
conodonts from the
Anisian-
Ladinian boundary (namely several species of
Neogondolella) are known from the lower part of the formation. Some marine reptiles have been found in dolomitic
limestone near Dingxiao, an area of
Guizhou sometimes considered to preserve the upper part of the Yangliujing Formation. However, under a more restrictive definition of the Yangliujing Formation, the fossils of Dingxiao would instead belong to the overlying
Zhuganpo Formation. == Fossil content ==