During the project GEDIP, in the coast of the State of Rio Grande do Sul, with some stations off Uruguay, a specimen female of the brachyuran crab Lepteces ornatus Rathbun, 1893 was found. Up till now this species was known only by his type material, from Arrowsmith Bank, Yukatan, Mexico. Description, material examined and distribution are done.
Uruguay; Lepteces ornatus; Brachyura; Majidae; new record; Southwestern Atlantic