Step 1: Understand striated muscles.
Striated muscles are also called skeletal muscles and show a striped appearance due to arrangement of actin and myosin filaments.
Step 2: Evolutionary significance.
These muscles are responsible for voluntary movements and appear in more advanced animal groups.
Step 3: Identify evolutionary appearance.
Among invertebrates, striated muscles first become clearly developed in Arthropoda.
Step 4: Compare with other phyla.
Annelids and molluscs possess muscle tissues but not well-developed striated skeletal muscles in the same evolutionary context. Echinoderms show different muscle organization.
Step 5: Functional advantage.
Arthropods require rapid and efficient movement (walking, flying, swimming), which is enabled by striated muscles.
Step 6: Conclusion.
Therefore, striated muscles first appeared in Arthropoda.