After graduation, he remained in Turin as an assistant to Lessona, and later Lorenzo Camerano (1856-1917), at the zoological institute.
Mottalciata borders the following municipalities: Benna, Buronzo, Castelletto Cervo, Cossato, Gifflenga, Lessona, Massazza, Villanova Biellese.
Besides Mosso and Valle Mosso other municipalities of the area are Cossato (a town which lies in the main valley near its exit on the Po plain) and Bioglio, Callabiana, Camandona, Crosa, Lessona, Piatto, Pettinengo, Quaregna, Ronco Biellese, Selve Marcone, Soprana, Strona, Ternengo, Trivero, Vallanzengo, Valle San Nicolao, Veglio, Zumaglia.