He attended secondary school in Fiume and later enrolled as a student in the Faculty of Natural Sciences at the University of Budapest.
During World War I he interrupted his studies to fight as an artillery officer, and became wounded and was decorated for military valour.
His work covered marine biology and his interests ranged from physiology to hydrobiology, oceanography and evolutionary theory.
[3] After Volterra's death d'Ancona published his book La Lotta per l'Esistenza (1942) (translated into English as The Struggle for Existence (1954)), which was inspired and motivated by the work of his father-in-law.
The publication of this book in homage to Volterra in 1942 in fascist-controlled Italy is noteworthy as Volterra had refused to sign the oath of allegiance to the fascist government, and had to resign his university post and his membership of scientific academies as a result.