No, it is just new, normal, vegative growth.
Yes, autos pre flower, just the need for a change in lighting is not required, hence "auto flowering".
Look for small calyxes with protruding white pistils growing from the nodes, this will indicate "pre flower" or "sexual differentation".
If you are keen, I have posted pictures of both male and female pre flowers in week 7 of my diary "cannabis conundrums", as well as many other pictures of weird and wonderful things cannabis is capable of!
Hope this helps, Organoman.