Question

The fossil record is testament to extinct fauna no longer present on earth. certain areas of the planet have always had high species diversity (evidence from fossils and catalogs of current species diversity). which of the processes listed below likely contributed to the patterns of animal diversity we see? volcanic eruptionschanges in atmospheric oxygenextinction events (both local and global)the appearance of new land masses over time

Answer 1

The process, which contribute to the pattern of animal diversity observed is EXTINCTION EFFECTS BOTH LOCALLY AND GLOBALLY. 
Biodiversity refers to the varieties of plants and animals, which are obtainable in a particular ecosystem. A high level of biodiversity is always consider to be very important for any ecosystem. The reduction in diversity that was observed was due to mass extinction of some plants and animals.  <span />