Really, the only valid choices are A and C; remember that "that" is restrictive (what follows is key information narrowing down the noun before) and will not have a comma, and "which" is usually not restrictive and will have a comma. Lacking a comma in the non-underlined portion, you're best off choosing C.
This is a question from McGraw Hill's verbal practice workbook. I had made the same choice.
A and D are clearly losers.
Why have you discarded B and E ?
My reason to discard B and E was a change in the meaning of sentence. Both B and E make the sentence sound as though the animals deliberately developed those mechanisms - but now, I am not sure whether my reasoning is correct, or is a "sounds good to the ear".
According to OA, C is incorrect, because ....
a variety of mechanisms.... is singular and should be followed by that keep
s